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Microsoft Issuing Refunds To Certain Minecraft Xbox 360 Owners

Some Minecraft players on Xbox 360 couldn't wait to play the game split-screen. However, it turned out the split-screen option was only available to those playing on a HD television.

The problem stems from Microsoft not putting a notice about the split-screen requirements on the game's product page when it first launched. The problem has since been corrected. “We updated our pre-sale notification to inform customers that an HD screen is required for the split-screen multiplayer feature on Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement sent to Game Informer.

"If a player does not have an HD screen and purchased this game prior to the notification update, they are eligible for a full refund through customer support.”

Minecraft on Xbox 360 has been a hit. The game sold over one million units in its first week on Xbox Live Arcade. 

Comments
  • How is this a problem? What technological barrier exist that limits split screen capabilities? Mario Kart 64 had four player split screen.
  • I still do not understand why only HD televisions can do splitscreen.
  • Hmm. Makes some sense why, but who doesn't have an HD TV nowadays besides Amish people?
  • http://tinyurl.com/goodb4biz .............. . . . . .
  • Who doesn't have an HDTV nowadays. I don't even think the manufacture non-HDTVs. At least Microsoft reimbursed the people.
  • I don't understand why it can't be fixed so more than just HD TV's can play splitscreen, but I think it's good that they are giving refunds for their mistake.

  • I know this is a silly question but regardless here it goes: If you ask for the refund, do you lose whatever digital right/code you have to play it?
  • Playing Minecraft on an HD tv is like banging a 5 dollar hooker in a 5 star hotel with the door open.


    Its pointless and adds nothing to the experience....except multiplayer.
  • The ONE game on Xbox 360 where HD graphics seem irrelevant and it does turn out to matter in a pretty big way. Really?
  • I got Minecraft for my 360, and I have to admit that I'm actually enjoying it more than I did on PC, which probably sounds crazy to a lot of people. That being said, it is strange that you can't play split-screen on a non-HD television.
  • I bought this for me and my girlfriend to play co-op. My tv is not HD. I think I should have stuck with my first instinct to ask for a refund. I think I'll get a new tv instead. Anybody know where to get a cheap refurb tv? I'll I found was ebay.

  • wish i bought to get a refund
  • I can't understand for the life of me why split screen would require an HD TV, but at least Microsoft is making good by updating presale information and providing full refunds.

    Kudos +1 for Micro$oft on this one. They made it right.

  • lol It's actually quite amazing how pathetically we've convinced ourselves we're not being subjugated by the ideals of the few.

    Allow me to suggest one thing: Use your brain.

    If the menu's are made tiny in split screen, can it not be fixed? of course it can. In fact it can quite easily and without any resistance what-so-ever.

    Those reimbursements are there for a reason. When you remove the option for split screen, targeting only the smaller resolution screens, you force the consumer to transition toward the purchasing of larger screens.

    Minecraft's visual motif is an ideological submission to reality. One they fail to honor in doing what they've done here.

    For this you can have many motivations. the problem however, is not the motive but the crime.

    Such actions serve only to benefit the few and to a lesser degree, enrich those who have aligned themselves thusly.

    this is why you get your money back. Because the business choice hinges precariously on less than salacious territory.
  • Sounds to me like it doesn't work at all with a SDTV. Which I don't understand from a programming standpoint. I'm not sure why they would specifically not allow splitscreen if the resolution isn't high enough. Still though, at this point if you have an SDTV and even playing games alone you should expect problems with seeing/reading small items. Let alone playing splitscreen.
  • I actually prefer to work alone in my Xbox Minecraft copy. The feeling you get when you stand back and are like "I made that?" is just epic.

  • And I called two of my friends idiots because I didn't understand how they weren't making the multiplayer work.

  • Yeah, for split-screen to not work on SD is pretty lame.
  • time to get some free money.

  • Can I get a refund since Microsoft didn't inform me that I required friends in order to play split-screen? Lol

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