VentureBeat - Latest Comments in Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Nintendo Wii — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:25:29 -0000

In my opinion, it is better for Microsoft to invest the money for research and find the better software than spending much time against the game tester.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

AutomatedExpert — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:10:48 -0000

Hey ive had an xbox 360 for 3 years it works perfect and its on everyday. if you want to talk my live account is AutomatedExpert

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Kevin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:49:48 -0000

Yeah I wouldn't want to work for a company that isn't in it for the consumers. XBox360 was realeased a bit early and if they kept it in a bit longer then they would have avoided the RROD altogether. Then Microsoft would have a reliable system on their hands which I would be more than happy to buy.

I would have probably done the same as Delaware. He knew his job was on the line. It was the moral thing to do. If his job was to hunt down bugs, then they have to give them some time. It takes awhile to fix bugs and to track them down. From games freezing to the RRoD. I wonder if he knew the consumers were taking a chance on buying thx Xbox360? Too bad he didn't come forward sooner. :(

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

that guy — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:47:35 -0000

why is everyone so quick to take this dude's side? he signed a NDA, hes legally accountable for violating that. i mean, obviously this guy isn't rolling in cash for the lawyer fee's he's liable to collect, not to mention slandering his name for future job oppotunities, who cares? its like a healthcare employee coming out and saying "this company didnt pay all the claims it should have." no shit, its business..

Secondly, for all of you who say Microsoft should pay the piper as well.. they are. they fix broken console for free, extended the warranty of their consoles and even replace EVERY component when they are repaired.

If someone has gone through 11 consoles in a few years, then shouldn't the blame be placed on the user? When does it NOT become the manufactures problem? You think every Ford or GM or even Honda that rolls off the assembly line doesn't have bugs that the company knows about? They EVALUATE the risk.. The xbox manual says to place it in a well ventilated area and for christ sake, its more powerful than ANY consumer class computer you can buy in terms or raw power, just read the wiki on it.

The ps3 is a nice.. uhm.. blu-ray player. its games suck. its online "network" sucks. if sony really cared about competing then perhaps they'd ditch their over used video game ideas and come up with some new ones.. that ATTRACTS new customers and not just diehard playstation followers...

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Jay — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:18:51 -0000

Wow! And Richard Nixon should've served his second term right? After all, it was a whistle blower that brought his treason to the public.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Alexjr — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:36:45 -0000

>2. Mr. Delaware violated a NDA with his employer, by turning to the media............i'm sure he knew this from the beginning of his talks with Dean

If he know, why he took the risk?
Must be carefull Mr. Delaware!

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Xenome — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:15:44 -0000

InformedPerson/SomeoneInformed/shitface u a bitch u probably ain't informed anyway

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Brian — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:07:34 -0000

meant to say isn't based on Michael Moore conspiracies.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Brian — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:05:08 -0000

Here's what I find more than slightly amusing to start off with. You on this site after you swore to never visit again. Now who has a credibility issue. Secondly, I never lashed out at you, but in return you have made it personal, even using profanity to cover for your lack of something meaningful to say in response. Now back to my original line of thought.

You are deflecting criticism of Microsofts efforts in regard to this whole 360 fiasco, if I may be so bold as to call it that. You call the various claims unfounded and uninformed. But you offer no counter information to dispel the accusations. Instead you just offer smear and mudslinging. Are you truly as informed as you infer? Or are you also bound by a NDA? But I'm still at a loss as to how you can make excuses for the less than stellar quality of the console. You try prestidigitation to magically turn our eyes from the issue at hand by bringing up Compaq? At least the PC is something that you can't say isn't of the same level of complexity as the console. (thought I didn't notice that, did you?) Now let's get to apples to apples, shall we? The PS3, while having issues as well, is not even in the same time zone in the amount of failures and defects as the 360. Care to comment? Let's have some hard data to rebut that. Oh that's right. Microsoft didn't even acknowledge there was a problem for a year and a half. Omertia....

You may resort to calling us names and vigorously defending Microsoft. But I'm really hoping that you don't work for them as you are doing the company a huge disservice. That company has it's own huge PR problem that it's based in Michael Moore conspiracy theories. It's based on huge negative feedback about the Vista launch and the 360 debacle. You sound like a certain politician who's doing his best to look senile and out of touch saying stupid things like "the economy is fundimentally sound!" For who? If I sound like I've veered off-course, let me bring it back. Here, in gamer land, the 360 is considered next to junk. We aren't really impressed with Microsoft's "kindness" at extending the warranty. And if you are really as informed as you claim, you should probably come down in the trenches and get some real feedback. I'll grant that the machine is improved, but until us "early adopters" who bought these crap machines get replacements that have the new, more reliable, hardware installed, we're gonna be very skeptical as to MS's true commitment to customer satisfaction. So please proceed with the hateful responses. I'm feeling maybe you're a nobody as well, just some fan of Bill Gates who has a poster on the wall and read business texts and cheers for the "holy" corporate way....

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

tenjor — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:49:13 -0000

eu acho que deveria ter um post em portugues... nao consigo entender nada desses comentario ridiculos.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Xenome — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:24:06 -0000

Warrior u made a wierd but true comment. i know this is off topic but i feel like i'm waiting for my ps2 to break down too. i just thought i might share that.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Bob Robertson — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:59:50 -0000

"some branch of law inforcement[sic]"

You really need to get away from your console more often. "Law Enforcement" will not help anyone avoid breaking the law. Their job is _enforcement_, not "compliance".

The one and only recourse is to contact a lawyer, and hope that their advice doesn't get you into more trouble than otherwise, since ignorance of the law is no defense.

In this age of entire libraries of laws, I believe that ignorance of the law deserves to be a positive defense!

Mr. Delaware violated his employment contract. That's all, and that is the entirety of any recourse Microsoft has against him.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

SomeoneInformed — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:08:25 -0000

You're dishonest.

To say that Microsoft is willfully and knowingly selling defective products is just bullshit.

Have you ever bought a computer? A PS3? Even a PS2? The nature of hardware, especially new and commercially innovative hardware is that it's fragile. I waited two years to buy a 360 because I was EXPECTING there to be bugs in the system. I still haven't bought a PS3. I did buy a PS2 at launch and not surprisingly it came with its share of headaches. But that's the beast, and its nature is well known.

As for Delaware; I wish him well in his future endeavors. I'm sure that if I'm ever in Seattle, he'll either be selling me a burger or pouring my coffee. Some sort of menial work that doesn't require him to sign another NDA. But hey, let's not rule out the possibility of him getting a job at McDonalds, and going public with the sad state of Big Mac construction! Have you seen how sloppy those things are put together?? I demand quality! Help! McDonalds has knowingly sold me a shitty product! Help!

Ha!

I make myself laugh.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

SomeoneInformed — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:00:31 -0000

It's pointless to complain about the 360 (or any gaming system) not being as reliable, or even as relevant, as your TV or your DVD player. Quite simply put... your TV and your DVD player are a far cry from the engineering that goes into any of the consoles currently available. And if that reality bothers you, you can always choose not to buy a game system.

I'm not saying that a broken 360 isn't a problem. It is. And in as much as any corporation will put their tail between their legs, admit they're wrong, and try to extend some compensation, Microsoft has probably given you as much as you'll ever see.

Again, if you don't like that or if you don't feel they've done enough, you certainly have the choice of buying a PS3, a Wii, a PC even, or simply not gaming.

But to sit here and get behind some bozo like Delaware, waving your fists alongside him because you think that consumers need a champion, is just silly. Delaware is ill informed. Just like this article. And your energies are better spent educating yourself and making a more solid case, if indeed you're so hell bent on indictments against Microsoft.

Some people here are having a good old time suggesting that they were outright robbed by Microsoft, and that the company knew they were shipping faulty hardware.

You'll never prove that and it's irrational to claim such when you can't prove it. You're better off saying you suspect, or that it seems possible, but all of this hardcore internet-branded righteous indignation is worth about as much as it costs to print this article, and less time than it takes to read it.

Again, consoles that break (360 or otherwise) are not a good thing. No arguing that.

But conspiracy is a breeding ground for misinformation, unsubstantiated "fact", mob mentality, sensationalism, and virtual religious euphoria. Everybody loves a good scandal. But Dean and many of you are trying too hard to create one, where it simply doesn't exist.

At best, Microsoft tried and failed, and lots of 360s crapped out in the process. It's as boring as that.

If you want a real hardware sales conspiracy, look at the Compaq Christmas debacle of (I believe it was 1997). They sold millions of PCs through Circuit City, Frys, and other major electronic retailers, including their own web site, that were supposed to be ready for Christmas. Well, people got their PCs in plenty of time to wrap them and stick them under the tree. Problem was... the PCs were literally missing mother boards, graphics cards, hard drives, etc. Several thousand of them were actually empty cases. Why did they do it? To cash in on Holiday spending, in hopes that they could deal with proper order fulfillment and customer returns AFTER the fact.

That's right... sell it in, then fix it after the money is in the bank. Seems stupid, crazy, etc. But they did it. And people wonder how Dell got so big... the climate was RIPE for something marginally reliable.

As for all your comments about buggy games, the need for quality, and gaming being big business... I think you need to learn up...

More than any other segment of the entertainment industry, sales and retail performance on games are STRONGLY tied to quality, and in particular, review scores. Shitty movies can make a lot of money. Even Ishtar made money. But games don't enjoy the same marketplace. Meaning... it's the BEST games that make all of those big dollars you're talking about. The rest... maybe do okay. In most cases, they lose money.

Be honest, you don't buy shitty games, do you? You wait for review scores on something you're uncertain about. Maybe you even rent it or borrow it from a friend first so you can try it out. But I'll bet that if you buy 20 games in a year, maybe 1 is a game you feel isn't good enough. And even that you can return (if you're smart), or trade in.

So really... what are you whining about? Name a game that you think sucked, or was severely buggy, that sold at least 5 million copies this year.

You can't. Because it doesn't happen.

Know what's sold big this year? GTA4. Call of Duty 4. Mario Kart Wii. The list goes on and on... and they're all GREAT games.

So quit your crying. You're the most spoiled consumer in the entertainment market.

And there's nothing wrong with patching. If you've been a gamer for any length of time, you'd know that it's always been done. It's only you noob console gamers that think patching is bad or an indication of quality. Patching is simply the way of the business, and now that consoles are connected, they're reaping the BENEFIT. It certainly never hurt PC games.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Jerome Cukier — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:55:09 -0000

I want to express my support to Robert Delaware. what he has done was the right thing to do. Microsoft, to be honest, spends a lot of resources and energy in Q&A and customer service. Yet things are not perfect. Your article eventually helps MS in becoming a better company. It also champions the cause of the many gamers with failed consoles. In an ideal world, MS should be grateful to your joint efforts. The amount of negative PR that a lawsuit could bring to MS should really deter them to proceed. In any case, I really wish the best to Robert.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

digger — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:16:24 -0000

Dittos.

I have worked at VMC. It is pure, frozen concentrate stupid over there. This guy was taken advantage of. If you're at VMC working as a game tester, there's nothing to differentiate you from gibbons at the zoo flicking their own poo.

These guys have no marketable skills and are surly, emotional, combative wrecks. I don't need to know this guy to know who he is. VMC is an american sweatshop and they hire the stupidest, cheapest talent they can find. This guy was taken advantage of by the author.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

C lowe — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:15:45 -0000

Yeah Yeah I am tired of hearing about protocol and stuff like that, the thing is that I am sold a doorstop that was disguised as an xbox and that return policy is nothing more than a merry-go-around. that's why this will never end. I thought that when we had competition the consumer won. We were bamboozled and the funny thing is that no legal action is taken. Who fights for the consumer. It is a pity that I don't live or I would ensure that MS is taken to the wall. But credit to there marketing team they tell you that they are sorry for selling junk but continue to circulate the junk, does the new Elite have these probs, and if not ,when we return the junk give us the elite, it was no problem for us to shell out the money for the system, I think the only thing you should do is give me what I paid for. Cannot wait for Google to enter the console race

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

bindlewirdle — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:39:44 -0000

It's called "ethics".

when some criminal executive steals your 401k, you'll be saying "why didn't someone blow the whistle on them"?

thankfully there are people like Delaware - whose heart is in the right place even if his sense of timing and/or cloak of invisibility are not.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Reflex — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:35:51 -0000

Had he reported this to the FTC and his claims been substantiated, then you would be correct. Instead he tried to make himself an internet hero. He has no protection, what he did was intentionally try to harm his employer with 'inside information' that he was never privy to in the first place.

I doubt MS will bother sueing him. But if they did, he would fully deserve it. He's not a whistleblower, and to claim he is is a disservice to those who actually take such courageous stands.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

jay — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:29:48 -0000

I've had the orange ring or death as well, and even my new console makes me a bit nervouse when the fan starts to get too noisy.
So here's an idea to help the world see how big a problem this really could be, if everyone took a photo of there broken XBOX 360's and the tagged them on google earth you would get a world view of the problem and then company's like MS wouldn't beable to hide behind red tape. I don't think these companies can't be trusted anymore to do the right thing by us so we should really start taking stronger actions against them. As for Robert I think he pretty much knew what he was doing or at least I hope he does NDA's are a pain. Good luck to you mate.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Chad — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:38:57 -0000

Hmm I never knew the RROD was that big of a problem. I can't imagine somebody going through 11 consoles. I got my 360 on launch day, played it just as much as anyone and I’ve never had a problem with it shutting down freezing up or doing anything I wouldn’t want it too.
Glad to be one of the lucky ones I guess.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Colage — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:24:48 -0000

InformedPerson is right - you chose a side in the original article and then played it through. The fact of the matter is that Delaware isn't a bigwig or a person of influence or stature at Microsoft, he's a contract game tester. The janitor is probably a better source.

But instead, both in the original article and this one, you praise his courage as though he ran into a burning building to save a baby. In my experience, game testers and CS/tech reps want to be important and recognized for working at a game company. Delaware knew what he was getting into, but he wanted you to use his name so people would know who he was. And the simple fact of the matter is that he's not a whistleblower - the problems with the Xbox 360 are well-documented, and Microsoft replaces consoles that are affected. If they were denying that there was a problem, then it would be a different ballgame, but they've owned up to it.

In short, both this and the piece that preceded it was shoddy journalism at best. Hell, half of the article above this comment is devoted to self-congratulation. But at the end of the day, you didn't uncover anything new and you got a guy fired. Good work.

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

David Gerard — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:07:48 -0000

Yeah, that'll definitely save their reputation and stop jokes like this being instantly comprehensible: http://notnews.today.com/20...

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

Brian — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:35:06 -0000

I find it funny that you are so defensive. I hear you speak in terms of corporate realities. The game industry needs more guys like Delaware. Guys who do rant about the quality of the games and the console on which they are played. Maybe then there would be less "shippables",patching and RROD. I read on Peter Moore's EA blog about how "we aren't making games in garages anymore." Most of us unwashed gamers are well aware of how large and profitable the gaming industry has become. Be it hardware or software it's huge business. And we all know how complex the 360's hardware is. Truth is, the 360 had too many unproven components in it's design and has been a work in progress. I'm personally on my 2nd console, which is in the shop right now. To say that it is annoying is to put it mildly.

Since you are "in the know" let me ask you to defend this. How many types of consumer electronics have such a short lifespan? Even with the first XBox the average lifespan of a console was roughly 2 1/2 years. Is my TV that fragile? My DVD player? My PC? No. If it were the case, I'd be at the BBB. Or to use the Darwinistic, I'm sorry, Capitalistic philosophy that seems to pervade your thought process, I'd buy someone else's product that was more reliable. Now I"m actually a fan of the 360, and defend it against the Sony boys. But facts are I have had my own quality issues with the console and they were not of my own negligence. I kept it in a cool room with plenty of ventilation, didn't have "all nighters" and babied it far better than any other electronics item I possess. But still it failed. In a relatively ridiculous amount of time.

You act like we are idiots who don't understand the complexities, you sound like a crybaby. The expectation of every consumer is quality, durablity and value. 360 has failed in every one of those. Now I'd like to convey my latest experience with MS customer service. When I got my third RROD in 24 hours, so I called MS. The guy was really nice. He takes my console S/N and proceeds to tell me that my original 1 year warranty has expired. I'm thinking "it's 3 years!" So I'm conveying this to him and he segues into " It is 3 years now, because MS values your business, no cost to you...." Hold on, now you guys are doing me a favor? My stuff doesn't work after 26 months? Not computing.... So I'm like, "you're going to send me a box, right?" "Oh no, we now send you a lable from UPS and you send it in your own box." Cool, save's time. "How about I send it in my 360 box?" "No we don't want anyone to know that your sending in a defective console." His words, verbatim. Not we don't want it to get stolen.... "If you must send it in the box, paint it or cover it in paper." Why am I sharing all of this? Warranty aside, Microsoft isn't showing any remorse at it's faulty consoles causing consumers frustration, and it's not building any faith in the quality of it's product by continuing its' "cloak and dagger" secrecy. I agree with other posters here. Fix the issues. Give us a good console, give us good games that aren't more bug-filled than last gen. Patching is a good tool, but has become the norm to meet launch windows. Wall Street and shareholders aren't the ultimate arbitrator, consumers are. And I'm saying this, as much as I prefer the 360 and certain companies games, I can make other purchasing decisions. That's one thing that is cool about capitalism, normally the best at what they do get rewarded. It might have to be Sony fairly soon.....

Re: Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat

tim miller — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:58:30 -0000

To Mister Delaware I believe Federal Law protects whistle blowers from retaliation by their employer or their subsidiaries so you should easily win. Count yourself lucky as you have now been freed from the sinking ship.