I've never used the Xbox 360 to rent movies, mainly because I'm not buying pretend money to then spend on borrowing a film. Of course, if you're one of the many UK folks who have been watching recent TV commercials for the 360's download services, you might not have known that, because Microsoft didn't tell you.
The Advertising Standards Authority has decided to pull a recent advert for the 360 since it failed to clarify that you only rent movies from the 360 Marketplace and can't buy them. While Microsoft argues that it shouldn't have to tell people an important detail like that, the ASA disagrees. The advert's small print tells viewers that they need a hard drive to take advantage of movie downloads, but fails to note that such downloads expire after 14 days, or within 24 hours of use.
"Because the ad focused on the Xbox 360 download function and new users could be influenced to purchase on the basis of being able to download and keep movies, we considered that the time limitation to play downloaded movies and the fact that they were being rented rather than bought were significant conditions that should have been clarified in the ad," explains the ASA.
The ASA tends to overreact and has pulled a number of commercials due to kneejerk complaints from busybodies, but this time I am inclined to agree with the judgement. The very fact that Microsoft wanted to dodge the issue in the first place should be a big indication that it was probably worth bringing up.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
12:20 PM on 02.11.2009
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I'm surprised the EU are the only ones with the balls to stand up to Microsoft's corporate bullshit.
I do hate misleading commercials though!
Buying downloaded movies shouldn't be much more than seven or eight bucks anyways. Especially when you figure that providers aren't paying for delivery, stocking, etc. It is only a buck to rent a movie from redbox. They can't afford to make buying a downloaded movie cheaper than going to the movies.
Redbox is a kiosk-based DVD rental unit. I know that several of my local supermarkets have one of these available, and Redbox has a deal with a lot of McDonalds franchises. Rent a movie, take the disk home, return it to the kiosk, that sort of thing.
Fuck you microsoft. Fuck you in the ear.
Oh, wait! That's right! GOTTA HAVE IT NOW!!!! Cant wait for a disc to be delivered in - what? - two or three days (and then keep permanently)! F*ck, no! Must watch the movie NOW!!! and then lose access to it in 24 hours!
Why the hell not? If you have enough money so that OMG 3 dollars doesn't kill you, why NOT just get it with the convenience of not having to wait a few days?
Hey, whatever, it's your money.
Paying MICROSOFT for movies even!
Fuck that.
Fuck Microsoft.
I've never been a fan of renting, especially if you actually like films. Hell; - I don't even like watching TV, I would rather not pay a License fee and just buy everything I need on DVD/Blu-Ray.