Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Bethesda workers protest Microsoft layoffs during Xbox CEO visit
Public backlash
During a visit by Xbox leadership to the Bethesda studio, Bethesda employees staged a protest outside the studio against Microsoft's layoffs. The protest featured a giant inflatable 'Scabby the Rat' and hundreds of red flags. The layoffs affected about 3,200 Xbox and studio employees.
Stated objective. To express dissatisfaction with the employer's unfair labor practices and apply public pressure
Source excerpt
就在昨天，Xbox首席执行官Asha Sharma一行造访了贝塞斯达工作室
为了抗议裁员，贝塞斯达员工工会决定抓住Xbox高层到访的机会，当面表达不满。
今年7月，微软启动了新一轮大规模裁员，Xbox及旗下工作室成为受影响最严重的部门之一，共有约3200名员工受到波及
2022
Microsoft agrees to undertakings on Xbox subscriptions in Britain
Settlement
In a controversy note concerning Xbox subscriptions in Britain, the UK Competition and Markets Authority said it secured undertakings from Microsoft. According to the regulator, the undertakings concern Xbox subscription auto-renewals, price-rise information, cancellation assistance for inactive customers and pro-rata refunds. The source quote states that the Competition and Markets Authority said it secured these undertakings from Microsoft covering those four areas.
Stated objective. The CMA said the undertakings would help gamers avoid paying for services they no longer use.
Company response
Clarification — Microsoft
Microsoft has also agreed to provide clear and timely information on price hikes, and help inactive Xbox customers end their subscriptions if required and claim a pro-rata refund, the CMA said.
Source excerpt
That would help gamers avoid paying for services they no longer use.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had secured undertakings from the U.S. tech giant to inform customers upfront about auto-renewals for Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass subscriptions.
Microsoft has also agreed to provide clear and timely information on price hikes, and help inactive Xbox customers end their subscriptions if required and claim a pro-rata refund, the CMA said.
2022
Microsoft agrees to changes to Xbox subscription practices in Britain
Settlement
In 2022, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority obtained undertakings from Microsoft concerning Xbox subscription auto-renewals. Under the commitments, Microsoft agreed to provide upfront information about auto-renewal, to contact inactive customers with guidance on stopping payments, to give clearer notice of future price increases, and to offer eligible annual subscribers an option to end their contracts and claim pro-rata refunds. The undertakings addressed the regulator's concerns about Xbox subscription practices in Britain.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority secured undertakings from Microsoft addressing concerns about Xbox subscription auto-renewals. Microsoft agreed to provide upfront auto-renewal information, contact inactive customers with guidance on stopping payments, give clearer notice of future price hikes, and offer eligible annual subscribers an option to end contracts and claim pro-rata refunds.
Stated objective. Clearer information will help gamers avoid being charged for services they have stopped using.
Company response
Clarification — Microsoft
Microsoft has also agreed to contact inactive customers to remind them how to stop payments and provide clearer notifications about future price hikes.
Refund or compensation — Microsoft
Additionally, existing customers on recurring one-year subscriptions will be given an option to end their contracts and claim pro-rata refunds.
Source excerpt
Additionally, existing customers on recurring one-year subscriptions will be given an option to end their contracts and claim pro-rata refunds.
Microsoft will begin offering more information to customers about how it automatically renews Xbox online gaming subscriptions in Britain, the UK's competition watchdog said on Wednesday.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) secured undertakings from Microsoft for the U.S. tech giant to tell customers upfront about auto-renewals for Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass subscriptions that start at 7 pounds ($9.50) a month.
2021
Xbox head apologizes over Xbox Live Gold pricing situation
Company response
Xbox head Phil Spencer apologized for the customer reaction to the previous Xbox Live Gold price increase, calling the episode a learning opportunity. The article reports that Xbox had reversed its decision to raise membership prices.
Company response
Apology — Xbox
Apologies for all the angst and emotion this caused today for our customers.
Source excerpt
Responding to Gamertag Radio host Parris Lilly on Twitter, Spencer apologized for the entire situation with the previous price hike.
Xbox made the surprising yet welcome announcement late last night that it would be reversing its recent decision to increase the price of Xbox Live Gold memberships.
January 23, 2021
2020
AMD retracts inaccurate Xbox Series X imagery
Company response
At its CES press conference, AMD retracted imagery it had shown, stating that the imagery was not sourced from Microsoft and did not accurately reflect the design or features of the upcoming Xbox Series X. The retraction addressed the accuracy of the visual material presented rather than the console itself. AMD's statement clarified that the images did not originate with Microsoft and were not an accurate representation of the Xbox Series X's design or features.
AMD retracted imagery shown at its CES press conference, saying it was not sourced from Microsoft and did not accurately reflect the upcoming Xbox Series X's design or features.
Company response
Clarification — AMD
an AMD representative confirming to Stevivor that the "imagery used during the AMD CES press conference was not sourced from Microsoft and does not accurately reflect the design or features of the upcoming console.”
Source excerpt
However, all of this tantalizing Xbox Series X connectivity information has now been officially retracted, with an AMD representative confirming to Stevivor that the "imagery used during the AMD CES press conference was not sourced from Microsoft and does not accurately reflect the design or features of the upcoming console.”
2020
Microsoft expands refunds for digital Cyberpunk 2077 purchases
Company response
Microsoft announced an expansion of its refund policy to offer full refunds to customers who purchased Cyberpunk 2077 digitally from the Microsoft Store. The policy change was described as occurring amid player dissatisfaction with the game's experience on older consoles. The announcement concerned digital purchases made through the Microsoft Store and did not specify further conditions, amounts, or outcomes beyond the expanded refund offer.
Stated objective. To ensure that every player can get the experience they expect on Xbox
Company response
Refund or compensation — Microsoft
we will be expanding our existing refund policy to offer full refunds to anyone who purchased Cyberpunk 2077 digitally from the Microsoft Store, until further notice
Source excerpt
Microsoft announced Friday that it will be expanding its refund policies for , to grant full returns to Xbox gamers who purchased the title digitally.Cyberpunk 2077
some players have been unhappy with the current experience on older consoles.
we will be expanding our existing refund policy to offer full refunds to anyone who purchased Cyberpunk 2077 digitally from the Microsoft Store, until further notice
2020
Lawsuit filed over Xbox controller drift
Lawsuit filed
Donald McFadden filed a lawsuit alleging that Xbox One controllers have a joystick-drift defect and that Microsoft knew of the fault, failed to disclose it, and routinely refused to repair affected controllers without charge. These are allegations in the lawsuit; the article reports no court determination.
Source excerpt
The lawsuit was actually filed back in April via the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, but it’s only making the rounds now.
More specifically, a new lawsuit filed by Donald McFadden claims that like the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One controllers, across various models, have a drifting problem.
“failed to disclose the defect and routinely refuses to repair the controllers without charge when the defect manifests.”
2016
Microsoft apologizes over dancers at Xbox party
Company response
After criticism over dancers hired for an official Game Developers Conference after-party, Microsoft said hiring them was “unequivocally wrong”; Xbox chief Phil Spencer acknowledged that the event disappointed many people and pledged to do better.
Company response
Apology — Microsoft
Microsoft says it was "unequivocally wrong" to hire scantily dressed dancers to perform at an official Game Developers Conference after-party in San Francisco.
Source excerpt
Microsoft says it was "unequivocally wrong" to hire scantily dressed dancers to perform at an official Game Developers Conference after-party in San Francisco.
In a statement, Xbox chief Phil Spencer acknowledged the event "disappointed many people" and pledged to "do better in the future."
2013
Xbox One digital-rights and privacy backlash
Microsoft faced intense criticism over proposed periodic internet authentication, account-linked game licensing, restrictions affecting used games, and the initially mandatory Kinect sensor. The company reversed the principal online and licensing restrictions and later permitted operation without Kinect.