How a Gaming Console Extended Warranty Adds an Extra Life to Your Play

Did your gaming get so tilted the console up and died? Uh-oh, at least you’ve one an extra life left through a gaming console extended warranty!

Keyword(s): Gaming Console Extended Warranty

Video games have the unique ability to take us to places we could never go in real life.

They let us be the heroes of the story, whether we’re paving our own path in an open world game like Fallout 76, or saving the princess in Super Mario Bros.

Video games have never been bigger, with Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V currently the highest-grossing entertainment product of all time.

So when it comes time to game, you need a console that supports your gaming habits. But more than that, you’ll need a backup plan for when something happens to that awesome new PS4, Xbox One, or Switch.

Think twice before saying no to that warranty.

Read on to learn why you should always pick up a gaming console extended warranty.

The Red Ring of Death: A Cautionary Tale

If you need an example of why purchasing a console protection plan should be a priority, look no further than one of gaming’s biggest disasters. 

Here’s a cautionary tale about why that gorgeous new console may not be all it’s cracked up to be.

The Xbox 360’s Launch Day Woes

When Microsoft’s successor to their original Xbox launched on November 22, 2005, fans couldn’t wait to get their hands on the new console.

The Xbox 360 promised better graphics, gameplay, and easier ways to play with your friends. And at first, Microsoft delivered on their promise.

Gamers basked in the beauty of launch titles like Perfect Dark Zero and Need For Speed: Most Wanted and marveled at the new achievement system.

But the joy was short-lived.

The hardware itself, while impressive and sleek, was an absolute mess on the inside. Almost immediately after launch, gamers came forward with their stories of scratched disks, loud consoles, and strange clanking sounds.

The biggest issue with the Xbox 360 was what fans dubbed the Red Ring of Death or RRoD for short. The technical issue plagued thousands of consoles, causing the 360 to shut down and crash — permanently.

If a player booted up their console after the crash, three red lights would greet them, signifying the death of their console.

Droves of gamers paid between $300 and $400 (before games) for the brand new console, only for it to outright die on them!

The scariest thing about the RRoD is that it could seemingly happen at any time. A person could be in the middle of a game only for it to freeze up and crash for good.

The Fallout

In most cases, a bricked console is easy enough to remedy should you have a console protection plan.

Though it’ll mean missing out on a few weeks of gaming, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are great about getting you back into the game soon enough.

But back in 2005, Microsoft was woefully unprepared for the massive hardware failures, which soon spanned the globe as the console launched in other territories.

Microsoft told fans that due to the extreme number of repairs at their service and repair center, repair times would take months to complete. Most warranties would expire by the time Microsoft got around to the repairs.

Suffice to say, no one was happy with the response.

A few months later, consoles were still bricking and Microsoft got hit by threats of a lawsuit.

The damage was done. Now, Microsoft had a full-blown crisis on their hands. At the end of the debacle, the RRoD controversy cost Microsoft $1 billion and plenty of poor PR.

What You Can Take Away: The Factory Warranty Doesn’t Cut It

Well over a decade later, the RRoD debacle is still a sore spot for most gamers.

So why is it still a big issue today?

The fiasco shows that even the newest consoles aren’t immune to any number of issues. As technology grows more advanced, newer, more complicated problems arise. And if you’re not careful, that brand new $500 console can cost you a great deal more in the long run.

What’s more, console manufacturers aren’t always keen on helping out. At least, not for free.

Most console warranties expire after a few months. After that, it’s up to you to pay out of pocket for your console’s repair.

That is unless you did the smart thing and purchase an extended warranty.

But the sad fact is that most gamers see it as an unnecessary expense. Learn from the RRoD controversy and always purchase an extended warranty, even if you don’t think you’ll need it.

Used Consoles Aren’t Any Safer

Buying your new gaming console from a secondhand market is a great way to save some cash while still getting access to a massive library of games. But refurbished and used consoles are just as prone to disasters as a factory sealed console.

If you choose to buy used, make sure you know what you’re getting into. There’s no telling what the previous owner did the console or what types of repairs it still needs.

So while you’ll save some cash upfront, you may end up paying as much as you would for a brand new console by the time repairs are finished.

Always buy a protection plan for your console, whether it’s new or used. An extended warranty is an even better option, as it keeps your console safer for longer.

Game Consoles Are an Investment

If you love video games, you know that they’re so much more than digital worlds and computer-generated characters. The experiences and fun you have along the way can’t be replaced.

That’s why it’s so important to think of your gaming console as an investment. By purchasing a warranty, you’re protecting that investment, be it from the weather, pets, acts of God, or more.

Buying a Gaming Console Extended Warranty Levels Up Your Gaming Experience

We can’t tell you how important it is to purchase a gaming console extended warranty.

Whether you’re still nervous from your experiences with the RRoD or just want the peace of mind that your console is safe, a console warranty is always a wise investment.

Have any questions about protecting your console? Feel free to get in touch!

Or if you’d like to know how your repair is coming along, log onto our service center portal and check the status of your console.