Microsoft is offering Xbox 360 owners new consoles if they’re unable to read a new game format.
The software giant is planning to distribute its Spring dashboard update this week and has been identifying Xbox consoles that are unable to read its new XGD3 disc format. The new disc allows Xbox 360 games to take advantage of an extra 15% of space, increasing the storage for game developers by 1GB.
Microsoft is currently scanning consoles over Xbox LIVE to notify owners of a replacement program, reports Kotaku. Reddit user Avery Penn received an email from Microsoft’s Xbox 360 support team promising a new console. “Following a recent update to our system software, we have become aware of an issue that is preventing a very small number of Xbox 360 owners from playing retail game discs,” reads the email. The company is issuing new Xbox 360S consoles with 250GB hard drive storage at no cost. Owners who are impacted by the issue will have to send their existing console to Microsoft and will also receive a code for a one year free Xbox LIVE subscription. Penn was initially suspicious of the email but Microsoft’s official Xbox support team confirmed the replacement program over Twitter.
The Xbox 360 Spring 2011 dashboard update is expected to start rolling in phases from May 19. The software giant will also introduce its Avatar Kinect service on May 27 according to recent reports. The spring system update will include support for Microsoft’s new disc format and updated PayPal support. Microsoft will extend the PayPal payment option to new international markets alongside the dashboard update.
