First off, Happy New Year AVS!

Alright. My copy of ES IV: Oblivion has a crack from the center (inner-ring) out that stops at the center (middle) of the readable area of the disc. The crack can't be physically felt. But it's visible.

I've had the game since release, I believe, and noticed the crack after a few months. But it was much much smaller then, and I had forgotten about it, until it stopped running in my brothers Xbox. Soon after, it stopped working in mines as well.

I tried contacting Microsoft & Bethesda support about my follwing, I think, really simple question:

Can I download Shivering Isles off LIVE and play it, without requiring the Oblivion retail disc, OR should I just buy the Shivering Isles retail disc and play like the crack never happened?

The Microsoft phone tech had no idea WTF Shivering Isles was, or about digital downloads. Bethesda phone tech got my email wrong, called me back about it, sent me a confirmation email, and stopped responding to even my email inquiries all together.

Now, about the disc crack. My Halo 2 CE disc has a small crack in it for a few years now. I've read about a cracked Forza 2 disc on this forum. My 1st GoW disc was damaged (exchanged that w/ the quickness), and I read about I think a cracked GoW disc onj Xbox.com.

What's the problem? Is it cheap disc manufacturing, or overuse by the disc drive?

If it's the drive, couldn't Microsoft allow for the option of installing of content like Sony does on the PS3? (I know the HDD isn't on all model's)

And, why not have the option to install content on the HDD to begin with. Mass Effect, Gears of War, Halo 3, Lost Odyssey, and more would benefit by it.

Installing stuff sucks. That would be why I use a console more often than a PC for gaming. :) Why would I want to bring that PC style hassle over to the simple console world?

As for the cracking? Discs crack. There are a bazzilion reasons why, but hearing about 4 instances on the interwebs is by no means a trend. From first hand experience, I have had one cracked disc pass through the roughly 5,000 discs I have owned. And it was purchased that way, used. Really, CDs and DVDs are amazingly durable compared to their cost to produce.

Shivering Isles required original Oblivion. There really is no difference between the DLC version and the retail version (or GOTY) as all 3 versions install to you HDD. They then load through the original Oblivion disc.

Since you want Shivering Isles, and need a new Oblivion disc, the best option is probably to just go buy the Game Of The Year edition. $60, and gives you Oblivion+SI in two seperate discs.

In regards to cracked discs...the only disc that I have ever had cracked was COD3. The cracks were only at the very inner ring of the disc. Once I noticed it, I simply never put the disc back into the COS3 case.

Sometimes the discs are tight in the case, and I think mine cracked from putting in and taking out the disc so often. After noticing the cracks, I kept the disc in one of the paper protectors that the XOM demo discs came in. Problem solved.

DeathDealerB

Installing stuff sucks. That would be why I use a console more often than a PC for gaming. :) Why would I want to bring that PC style hassle over to the simple console world?

As for the cracking? Discs crack. There are a bazzilion reasons why, but hearing about 4 instances on the interwebs is by no means a trend. From first hand experience, I have had one cracked disc pass through the roughly 5,000 discs I have owned. And it was purchased that way, used. Really, CDs and DVDs are amazingly durable compared to their cost to produce.

Shivering Isles required original Oblivion. There really is no difference between the DLC version and the retail version (or GOTY) as all 3 versions install to you HDD. They then load through the original Oblivion disc.

Since you want Shivering Isles, and need a new Oblivion disc, the best option is probably to just go buy the Game Of The Year edition. $60, and gives you Oblivion+SI in two seperate discs.

I know installing stuff sucks. I've played a few PC games before. But, I'm not talking about that type of a complete installation. I mean maybe even lighter than Heavenly Sword. Just a texture pocket to help with the ugliness of these Unreal Engine 3 games (everyone on Xbox 360 so far - even Lost Odyssey from Jap. game vids.) at least.

The cracked, or severely scratched disc problem goes back to PSOne era. But, it might become more problematic as games, using Mass Effect as an example start using more and more details on screen, and work these (especially MS's) disc drives overtime.

It's bad enough the frame rates are worse than even the PS2, Original Xbox era.

Now onto the Shivering Isles matter.

Do I really need the Oblivion disc too for the retail Shivering Isles disc?

I bought most (got 2 on OXM free) of the the DLC that came out, and I think it's f'up if I had to spend an xtra $60 just to play $30 worth of game.

I guess that's why no one would answer on either companies customer service lines. Unless I can buy Oblivion for around $20, I don't feel right having to re-buy it for even $30. I'm gonna try customer service again.

P.S.: Shouldn't SI be more like $20-$25 as a digi download anyway?

In regards to cracked discs...the only disc that I have ever had cracked was COD3. The cracks were only at the very inner ring of the disc. Once I noticed it, I simply never put the disc back into the COS3 case.

Sometimes the discs are tight in the case, and I think mine cracked from putting in and taking out the disc so often. After noticing the cracks, I kept the disc in one of the paper protectors that the XOM demo discs came in. Problem solved.

DeathDealerB

The cracking I have on Halo2 and Oblivion started the same, but I don't remember seeing either until they were out of warranty range. Lame. :(

I thought maybe it was the case that caused the damage, but Oblivion usually flew from my Xbox to my bros.

But the Microsoft discs always felt really cheap to me. Not all, but most of the Xbox, and Xbox 360 discs always felt really cheap.

Thanks for the input from the both of you. I appreciate it.

Unless I can buy Oblivion for around $20, I don't feel right having to re-buy it for even $30. I'm gonna try customer service again.


FWIW, I bought Oblivion for $20 at WalMart a couple weeks ago.

Thanks, Chip Z.

If I can get Oblivion at the price you mentioned, I'm def. gonna grab it. I'm gonna take a couple weeks now tho to relax on my X360 problems since my console RRoD'd on me. :(

I did the box request online, so I'm hoping nothing goes wrong.

Guess I'll get something for my PS1/PS2 playing PS3. I'm honestly a little bored of Heavenly Sword. I'm gonna give it another try, but I'm probly gonna grab R&C, or Uncharted.

Completely brain dry on FPS's, too.

Maybe I should finish DDS series + Persona 3...