If it's man made it's doomed! At least we have those interim periods between failures to get some enjoyment out of the technology. I know what you mean though, it's frustrating, My first failure on PS3 (40gb) was a error 800 that related to the blue-ray drive, on the second time flashing red light, no specific error code, could have been PSU or overheat but Sony were nice enough to send new machines on both occasions.

I think your right. Much more to go wrong, modern consoles are an extremely complexed pieces of equipment it's not surprising they fail. In both cases at least Microsoft and Sony are being pragmatic about it and replacing machines.

I can't really comment on firmware as I can't say that I've had issues with it.

Obviously it's going to be a bit galling if your hardware fails, I was a little upset, but you have to be pragmatic about these things, why torment yourself with what is out of your control? If hardware fails then you call the manufacturer, ideally none of us want to do this. If you want to see you machine working again this is what you must do. Everything is fine and dandy again when you get the machine back. Like I said all you really loose is gaming time and the cost of a local rate number.

You find it hard to believe that Sony hardware failed? Well as hard as it maybe, it happened. Not that I mind Sony's customer service was great and it was swapped within forty eight hours on both occasions. I've had both 360 and PS3 for roughly the same life span,I was aware of RROD when I bought it and I had always assumed that the problems would start with the 360 first.

We all knew the 360 was a piece of shit in terms of hardware. This is the reason i don't buy MS hardware.

Failure rates are well known and old news!! Another vitriolic attack on 360. All this serves is to ignite another fanboy flame war!! Remind me again why you care so much about what Microsoft are doing Top_Dollar? Aren't you a member of the Sony youth? Remember you don't speak for everyone, there are some very happy 360 owners some that have had consoles replaced on more than one occasion.

Personally speaking, whilst my 360 rumbles into its second year, I'm on my third PS3 due to catastrophic hardware failures (PSU and BRD) both failures happened within months of one another, my current PS3 has been going great so far, but I wouldn't be surprised if another problem cropped up.

Hardware failures are par for the course, no hardware is 100% whether it's consoles, motherboards or graphics cards. This is why company and have guarantees or return and replace policies. Your equipment will usually be swapped out with in forty eighty hours. Not really much of a hassle, you just might lose a couple of nights gaming.

No handouts required and certainly no animosity, I just thought the Gamerscore could be put to better use in the future. Seemed in keeping with the whole reward ethic, bragging rights is one thing, but you earning money off future content is something else. It would be good enough reason to start becoming more of a completist.

Sorry to clarify "G" is gamer score. Same as trophies really, you get various amounts of "G" for completing achievements.

Wouldn't even have to be large amounts of points, something like a ratio of ten microsoft points for every hundred added to your gamer score.