Some people would say if the groom or bride left the alter the day of the wedding, that their perfect day turned into a nightmare. For some it might be that it was your Senior year and you were the star starting quarterback playing in the State Championship football game, but the day before you slipped on your little brothers hotwheel car and tore your knee apart and couldn’t play.

Well, I’m a gamer and my perfect day is September 25, 2007. That is the day Halo 3 would be released to the masses. What makes it so perfect for me was that I had the Halo 3 Legendary Edition pre-ordered from Gamestop and have been by my local store several times the week before to make sure they’d have my game at midnight. I also have 3 vacation days approved so I could enjoy the gaming experience without worrying about going to work the next day, but more importantly, I have approval from my wife to allow me unlimited time to play with no interruptions from her or the kids aside from their usual activities that I need to take them too. This was her and the kids gift to me, because September 25, 2007 is also my 40th birthday. I was syked when Bungie announced the launch date. My favorite game series from my favorite game developer released on my 40th birthday, that is just awesome.

This morning, September 24, 2007, before I headed off to work, I decided to plug my 360 wireless controller into the plug and play kit so it could charge and be ready for me tonight. I pushed the power button on my 360 console and my heart dropped to the floor. The 3 red rings of death appeared where I expected to see the great green ring of light. Are you kidding me?! This is not happening. My day, now ruined, I headed off to work. I came back home during lunch to call Xbox support, which apparently is in India because the guy couldn’t say my name right to save his life. As furious as I was, I did not go off on the guy because he probably would’ve asked me “what’s a halo?” This is where I found they ship you a box to send your console back, which takes 3-5 days, then they’ll send you your console back in 3-4 weeks. “Did you just say 3-4 weeks?” I said, “Yes sir”, he replied. Again, I had to hold myself back from a stream of profanity laced tirade of which he would have no understanding of.

I am furious, utterly furious. I really can’t think of a time I’ve been more furious. Microsoft knows there is a problem with this console, but all they did was extend the warranty. Do they not have root cause for this issue? I don’t think they really do, if they did, they should’ve come up with a tool to help identify the issue on all the consoles they’ve sold. You know, make the tool available to its customers so they can find the defect BEFORE it happens. At least, if I were an employee of Microsoft, I would’ve suggested we do that. This sit back, let’s wait and see just doesn’t cut it. And now I find out I will be without my console for a month!? This is the first time this has happened to me, and I really don’t know how the people who are on their 4th or more console put up with it.

So, my perfect day has turned into a nightmare. I wonder how many times I can read the game manual while I wait for my console to get back. I assume I can play the DVDs that come with the Legendary Edition on my DVD player; I wonder how many times I can watch that before my console gets back? I could keep the Master Chief helmet polished until the paint comes off I suppose…

I don’t think so. I cannot wait another month to play. A new xbox 360 will be purchased to use for playing Halo 3 while the old one is in the shop. This 360 will then be taken back to the store for a full refund upon the arrival of the old 360. I’m still pissed I have to jump through these hoops, but I’m not missing out on the gaming event of the year.