redringofdeath

In Game Informer’s 5,000 person study of console owners, 54.2% of Xbox 360 owners’ systems went under due to the Red Rings of Death or the E74 error.

For those that don’t know, these defects make the machines inoperable. According to the survey results only 10.3% of PS3s and 6.8% of Nintendo Wii’s suffered similar malfunctions that would render them unusable. That’s a pretty disgusting figure for the 360 assuming this survey was done properly. That’s not even the worst part. The same survey revealed that only about 4 percent of those with broken 360′s wouldn’t buy another one.

Only 4%? EXCUSE ME?!?! © Pete Rosenberg and DJ Cipha Sounds.

This does and doesn’t make sense. On one end common sense tells you fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Why buy a product again, in this case a relatively expensive entertainment device, if it broke the first time and has a reputation for not being reliable? It’s like asking to get punched in the right eye when dude already stole on you in your left.

But on the flip side Microsoft’s warranty will repair your system for free up to three years after you bought if it has RROD or E74. In light of this, tons of heads send their assed out system, keep the hard drive and buy an arcade version for $200 or less. Then when their original 360 comes back they’ll flip it on eBay or find some other way to get rid of it. With great titles, expensive peripherals and an optional yearly fee for online gaming cats realize they spent too much dough on their 360 to drop it cold turkey. This means that many are compelled to keep rockin’ till the wheels fall off (i.e. till their three year ride dries up). Fingers have been pointed at MS for rushing the 360 out a year before Sony’s PStriple without properly testing it for problems.

For the record, I’ve owned a 360 for almost two years and I haven’t had any issues. But David D., as well as some of my friends and family, had their 360′s crap out on them. It’s pretty disheartening that consumers will get up in arms about exclusives and other BS but take such a high failure rate lying down. With over 30 million systems sold worldwide this situation really needs some seven on your side-type treatment. Microsoft isn’t being held accountable enough for their follies.

Game Informer: Xbox 360 At 54.2% Failure Rate [Joystiq]

Previously Posted — Gamers Unite: PS3 or Xbox 360?