New real-money Xbox dash raises game prices

[MightyJordan]

 

The price of games on Xbox Live will go up once the impending, in-beta-testing Xbox 360 dashboard update rolls out.

This update converts existing Microsoft Points into real-world, local currency, and does so the moment you try to buy something, a tipster told us. Unfortunately, beta testers are not warned this will happen.

 

1200 Microsoft Points converted into real money, however, no longer affords what a previously 1200MSP game now costs.

 

Said our tipster:

• 1600MSP games are now ?14.99; previously this was the equivalent of ?13.60
• 1200 MSP games are now ?11.99, previously ?10.20
• 800 MSP games are now ?8.99, an even bigger increase - previously this was ?6.80
• 400 MSP games are now ?4.49, previously ?3.20

As people have pointed out when sharing similar insights on Reddit, for example, this now brings Xbox Live prices in line with those on PSN.

 

Having your Microsoft Points converted at the existing rate and not in relation to the new prices will no doubt rankle with the community - particularly those who've accrued piles of Microsoft Points in anticipation of the transition, hunting down good deals on store-bought Microsoft Point cards.

 

Microsoft was unavailable for comment this morning but I'll let you know if I hear anything back.

Source

 

BRB, gonna try and spend my 4,750 Microsoft Points...

[George P Global Moderator]

There are probably other things that come into play which adds to the cost, as the post points out the prices are no the same as on PSN so I'm thinking it's a tax thing maybe?  Oh well, people wanted real money on live right?  Well here you go.

[spacer]

There are probably other things that come into play which adds to the cost, as the post points out the prices are no the same as on PSN so I'm thinking it's a tax thing maybe?  Oh well, people wanted real money on live right?  Well here you go.

How is it a tax thing? People had to buy points at a specific point per dollar/euro/pound before. So whatever "tax" there was was already accounted for in the exchange ratio. Was it not? I mean, that was the whole point of using the point system. A game was 800/1500 points everywhere, but different countries had different prices on the points to account for that kind of stuff.

 

I really don't see why Microsoft HAD to raise the prices. I'm pretty sure they did it because they thought they can get away with it.

[coresx]

Not tax, they just raised the prices. The games are actually more expensive than Steam and PSN. Pure cash grab, can't be defended.

 

They are changing to real currency so people can spend across Windows/Windows Phone/Xbox with the same credit, not because people wanted it.

 

A mistake I hope but Microsoft have been on a roll lately so I imagine it is actually true.

[HawkMan]

Not tax, they just raised the prices. The games are actually more expensive than Steam and PSN. Pure cash grab, can't be defended.

 

They are changing to real currency so people can spend across Windows/Windows Phone/Xbox with the same credit, not because people wanted it.

 

A mistake I hope but Microsoft have been on a roll lately so I imagine it is actually true.

 

did you read the article ? the prices are now IN LINE with the PSN prices. they where cheaper before because the points had certain built in rebates since it was a closed currency. 

[George P Global Moderator]

How is it a tax thing? People had to buy points at a specific point per dollar/euro/pound before. So whatever "tax" there was was already accounted for in the exchange ratio. Was it not? I mean, that was the whole point of using the point system. A game was 800/1500 points everywhere, but different countries had different prices on the points to account for that kind of stuff.

 

I really don't see why Microsoft HAD to raise the prices. I'm pretty sure they did it because they thought they can get away with it.

No, they don't, some places pay tax on top of the specific point per dollar/euro/pound that MS sets.  The EU is one of those places.  It's been well known that Points are not the same value/cost in every place.  You can buy 800points in the US, depending on state, for one price and I could buy the same 800 points here in the EU and pay a good chunk more.   

 

Also, after looking into it a bit more, the whole reason MS went with points was to save on small credit card transaction fees that they have to pay.  Now I run a business, and I pay these fees,  If someone pays $50 to me using a credit card then after the fees are taken I end up with $49 since I have to pay a fixed 2% fee.  I'm sure this fee is different from place to place and so on so I think they're taking these fees into consideration.

[coresx]

did you read the article ? the prices are now IN LINE with the PSN prices. they where cheaper before because the points had certain built in rebates since it was a closed currency. 

 

Not that clear cut.

 

The 8.99 games on Xbox can be 6.99/7.99 on PSN/Steam. 

[coresx]

No, they don't, some places pay tax on top of the specific point per dollar/euro/pound that MS sets.  The EU is one of those places.  It's been well known that Points are not the same value/cost in every place.  You can buy 800points in the US, depending on state, for one price and I could buy the same 800 points here in the EU and pay a good chunk more.   

 

Also, after looking into it a bit more, the whole reason MS went with points was to save on small credit card transaction fees that they have to pay.  Now I run a business, and I pay these fees,  If someone pays $50 to me using a credit card then after the fees are taken I end up with $49 since I have to pay a fixed 2% fee.  I'm sure this fee is different from place to place and so on so I think they're taking these fees into consideration.

 

What on earth has that got to do with it.

 

Microsoft converted your points (VAT already included) on their current value - Fair

 

Microsoft raised prices of content on the marketplace - Not fair.

 

There is no magic tax and even if there was, it would be increased the same across the board but it wasn't. 33% increase, 15% increase, 10% increase.

 

All Microsoft had to do was convert points so 1200 points(?10.20) for example matched the new price of a 1200 point game (?11.99).

 

They are too greedy and thought they could get away with it.

[BajiRav]

So those who bitched about Points being a pain? Have fun now. You ruined it for everyone.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

So those who bitched about Points being a pain? Have fun now. You ruined it for everyone.

 

MS made the change to real money, and MS has increased the price. But you know it's easier just to blame 'anonymous' people  :rofl:

[HawkMan]

MS made the change to real money, and MS has increased the price. But you know it's easier just to blame 'anonymous' people  :rofl:

 

 

Again, it was cheaper because it was a closed currency, you will see this with all similar closed currency system, both virtual and physical . 

[BajiRav]

MS made the change to real money, and MS has increased the price. But you know it's easier just to blame 'anonymous' people  :rofl:

You always get discounted MSP from somewhere and it was not difficult to find 1600 MSP for say $15 instead of $20 ( actual price). How do you get discount on $20 now?

The prices are now in line with PSN now from what I understand.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

You always get discounted MSP from somewhere and it was not difficult to find 1600 MSP for say $15 instead of $20 ( actual price). How do you get discount on $20 now?

The prices are now in line with PSN now from what I understand.

 

The same way we always have on cards with credit - http://www.hotukdeals.com/search?action=search&keywords=PSN+card

[LaP]

So those who bitched about Points being a pain? Have fun now. You ruined it for everyone.

 

You forgot to add /s at the end of your post.

[compl3x]

Again, it was cheaper because it was a closed currency, you will see this with all similar closed currency system, both virtual and physical . 

 

 

:s care to explain this? Why do prices have to go up just because they are adopting real currency?

 

 

Everyone else uses real currency, the only reason to adopt a fictional currency which isn't 1:1 is to confuse consumers.

[HawkMan]

it's not so much that prices go up as that prices revert to standard. lock in/closed currencies have by their nature and existence a built in rebate model. as for the why , then you get into economics and the very fact you need to offer incentives when you make people buy a currency that is useless anywhere else with real currency. 

[trooper11]

From what I have read, this was a leak that is only about uk customers potentially seeing higher pricing for content.

 

I've seen other reports from leaks saying that testers in other regions didn't see prices go up at all, they converted to a price you would expect. I don't think its wise to get all upset before we even know the facts.

 

I find it hard to believe MS is being some greedy devil here. Why single out the UK region? If they were greedy, it would be all regions. I think its more likely we are missing info on why pricing is different. We will see.

[compl3x]

it's not so much that prices go up as that prices revert to standard. lock in/closed currencies have by their nature and existence a built in rebate model. as for the why , then you get into economics and the very fact you need to offer incentives when you make people buy a currency that is useless anywhere else with real currency. 

 

 

Economics isn't my strong suit, but I think this has only occurred in the U.K. thus far. If it only happens there, or only happens in some markets and not others then it would seem to render this argument useless.

[MightyJordan]

UPDATE

Microsoft is claiming this price increase is an "unintended error" in the Xbox Live beta, and it will issue refunds to those affected.

 

A final conversion amount has not yet been announced, but it should more accurately reflect the current prices.

 

Microsoft's full statement is as follows:

 

?We are aware that select regions experienced some incorrect game title pricing in the Xbox Live beta. This was an unintended error that we are in the process of fixing. We'll be reimbursing impacted beta participants for the difference in what was paid and what the price will be after the update is available to all members."

 

"More information about the Microsoft Account transition to local currency can be found here."

 

"Of note, beta programs give us a chance to test, fix and correct issues like this. As with all betas, we take the learnings from our program and make corrections and adjustments prior to the update being available to all members. As always, we appreciate the participation of our beta customers in helping us launch and build great products.?

 

False alarm, then. Sorry if I caused any panic on here.

[BajiRav]

Economics isn't my strong suit, but I think this has only occurred in the U.K. thus far. If it only happens there, or only happens in some markets and not others then it would seem to render this argument useless.

Canada and Australia saw lower prices, some 25% less. It was clearly a mistake/bug in the beta.

[compl3x]

So the attempt to defend it was ######?  :pinch:

 

I'm in Aus and in the Beta. I should have been paying attention  :rofl:

[George P Global Moderator]

So the attempt to defend it was bull****?  :pinch:

 

I'm in Aus and in the Beta. I should have been paying attention  :rofl:

 

If the defense of it was that "there could be more going on that we don't know about" then I wouldn't call it BS.   It seems the "more going on" was a error/bug in the beta.   I wanted more info on it than we initially saw.  At the start it was just the UK, only now are people saying some places saw lower prices.     This is why I don't jump to conclusions, now those calling this just a MS greedy money grab look silly.

[the better twin]

If the defense of it was that "there could be more going on that we don't know about" then I wouldn't call it BS.   It seems the "more going on" was a error/bug in the beta.   I wanted more info on it than we initially saw.  At the start it was just the UK, only now are people saying some places saw lower prices.     This is why I don't jump to conclusions, now those calling this just a MS greedy money grab look silly.

I like how you pretend you didnt jump to conclusions while you were clearly defending the rise as a "tax" thing or some such excuse. Gotta love revisionism. 

[George P Global Moderator]

I like how you pretend you didnt jump to conclusions while you were clearly defending the rise as a "tax" thing or some such excuse. Gotta love revisionism. 

 

Excuse?  I said it might be a tax, or did you miss the "?" at the end?   I guess you did, that's not a conclusion it's a guess as to why.  You jumping to the "they're just being greedy" bandwagon is exactly what I'm talking about.   

[compl3x]

If the defense of it was that "there could be more going on that we don't know about" then I wouldn't call it BS.   It seems the "more going on" was a error/bug in the beta.   I wanted more info on it than we initially saw.  At the start it was just the UK, only now are people saying some places saw lower prices.     This is why I don't jump to conclusions, now those calling this just a MS greedy money grab look silly.

 

 

Hawkman's defense seemed to be: "there is a complicated, yet inexplicable, economic argument which makes this price hike reasonable".

 

I mean, come on, does anyone want to decipher this:

 

 

it's not so much that prices go up as that prices revert to standard. lock in/closed currencies have by their nature and existence a built in rebate model. as for the why , then you get into economics and the very fact you need to offer incentives when you make people buy a currency that is useless anywhere else with real currency. 

 

 

...anyone?