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Microsoft has fired contract game tester Robert Delaware, following comments he made last week to VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi. Delaware was the only source to reveal his real name in an article discussing the hardware reliability of the Xbox 360, and may

David Jenkins, Blogger

September 15, 2008

1 Min Read

Microsoft has fired contract games tester Robert Delaware, following comments he made last week to VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi on the widespread hardware issues plaguing the Xbox 360. In an article exploring the issue, Delaware was the only one to reveal his real name among several unnamed sources quoted. The news was reported on website VentureBeat by Takahashi himself, according to whom Delaware was told he was being sacked specifically because of the earlier article. Both Microsoft and former employer VMC are also expected to file civil charges for breaking non-disclosure agreements. Delaware had discussed issues relating specifically to the launch of the Xbox 360 and the reportedly high levels of hardware failures just prior to and after the format’s release. The widely-read feature claimed to reveal the fullest details so far on the infamous "red ring of death" and associated hardware issues. Speaking to Takahashi, Delaware was unrepentant, saying: "I don’t regret it. I’ll fight it. If they want to come after me, bring it on." When asked whether he was happy for Takahashi to report the details of his firing he added: "Rock and roll. It feels good. It was the moral thing to do."

About the Author(s)

David Jenkins

Blogger

David Jenkins ([email protected]) is a freelance writer and journalist working in the UK. As well as being a regular news contributor to Gamasutra.com, he also writes for newsstand magazines Cube, Games TM and Edge, in addition to working for companies including BBC Worldwide, Disney, Amazon and Telewest.

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