Rick gives PGC the best present he could find ... bad news for Microsoft.
Microsoft is recalling the Xbox in Japan due to a defect that can cause scratches on the game discs.
Update! Microsoft has issued a press release stating that this was an "erroneous report" due to a misinterpretation and that there is no "recall". However, they do acknowledge the problems (saying that it was a small number of inquiries, less than one percent), and that Microsoft of Japan is evaluating any machines exhibiting the problem, and will repair or replace any if necessary. Basically, the only thing wrong here is the word "recall."
This devastating news comes a mere two weeks after the Xbox Japanese launch.
Customers need to send the console back to Microsoft for repair; the process of replacing the disc drive will take a week to ten days to complete.
This news is sure to slow any momentum Microsoft might have had making progress in the Japanese market. The Xbox already sells for 5000 yen more than PS2 and 10,000 yen more than GameCube.
