Microsoft phasing out its virtual points currency

By compl3x
in Xbox

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Grand Master

compl3x

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Microsoft's Xbox Live point system has been widely criticized by users for being confusing and difficult to convert into real prices. They allow users to purchase content on the Xbox 360, Windows Phone and Zune Marketplace without a credit card. However, besides making things seem a bit cheaper than they actually are (80 Microsoft Points converts to $1), points are only sold in 'blocks' and users often have to purchase more than they actually require at a particular time. This means they'll have left over points after their purchase but most likely not enough to buy something else.

The company begun moving away from this system recently by allowing certain purchases to be made with actual cash, including Xbox 360 ?Games On Demand? and Windows Phone mobile apps. Now, according to a report by Inside Mobile Apps, they plan to scrap the virtual currency altogether before the end of the year.

Transactions will instead be based on the local region of Xbox Live accounts, with real money used to buy content. The change will bring Microsoft's various marketplaces in line with competitors such as Apple's App Store and Sony's PlayStation Network, both of which use real currency.

This will also end the inconsistent use of Microsoft Points as the company prepares to release its next-generation operating system. Windows 8 will include Xbox Live integration as well as its own Windows Store for app and game purchases, which Microsoft had previously said would be done using actual cash.

The company responded to the report saying it "doesn't comment on rumours or speculation."




Good. That point system is such a ****in' scam. It's a blatant attempt to confuse uses and sell them something which they might not use the entirety of.


Death to MS Points!

 

Grand Master

Hedon

Posted
Posted

They really should get rid of the point systems. I occasionally buy points but I'm always a little hesitant for the the very reason mentioned above, I'll always have point left over and won't know what to do with them.

You will have left over money instead of points. Not really a big change. At least now we can see the price....though I already saw $10 when I saw 800ms points. I was already used to it.

As for left over money or points, I have that issue on XBL and PSN. I have 20 ms points that I can't get rid of, and I have 50 cents or a $1 I can't get rid of on PSN.

Grand Master

Hedon

Posted
Posted

Ah see I don't have a PS3. I was under the impression that it would just use the credit card or Paypal account on your Xbox. So you buy items that are priced in local currency with whatever (accepted) payment method they have.

Well, if it is like PSN, there is a $5.00 minimum purchase. So I have to add $5.00 to my PSN account in order to buy, say a $3 item. That leaves me with $2 in my PSN account. Well, say I want to buy something again for $3.00, I can't just add $3.00 to my PSN account because the transaction minimum is $5.

Not sure if that is how Xbox will work, but I assume it is...because they don't want millions of $1 credit card transaction. There are hundreds and hundreds of $1 Xbox Live Indie games for example.

Grand Master

Blackhearted

Posted
Posted

Yes, kill off the damn points system. They're an annoyance.

Well, if it is like PSN, there is a $5.00 minimum purchase. So I have to add $5.00 to my PSN account in order to buy, say a $3 item. That leaves me with $2 in my PSN account. Well, say I want to buy something again for $3.00, I can't just add $3.00 to my PSN account because the transaction minimum is $5.

Not sure if that is how Xbox will work, but I assume it is...because they don't want millions of $1 credit card transaction. There are hundreds and hundreds of $1 Xbox Live Indie games for example.

I don't see any reason why sony or ms can't just allow you to add exactly how much you need(whether it be in cash or points). Nintendo already allows you the option at checkout on the 3ds's eshop so it's not like something that's impossible.

Grand Master

DirtyLarry Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

I thought Sony updated their system a couple of months back?? Like I am pretty sure if a game costs $8.99 for example, you can just put $8.99 worth of funds in your wallet, thus eliminating the leftover money thing happening?

With that said, I do know based on my last purchase on the PSN, that Sony does require a minimum of $5 added to one's "wallet." I only needed $4.79 to make a purchase as I had credit left over, and the system told me the minumum was $5, so I currently have .21 cents sitting in my PSN wallet.

But I am pretty sure they updated it to where you can put the exact amount needed, as long as said amount was over $5.

But yeah, this is long overdue IMO. Even if there does wind up being leftover change, I just prefer knowing the money value over how many points something is. Just a personal preference. Would be even better if you could just spend the exact amount you needed.

Grand Master

DrunknMunky Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Sounds great at first, but what many don't realize is Xbox Live actually undercuts prices of both PSN/Steam because of the point system.

e.g Sonic CD released on all 3 platforms

XBL: 400 points (?3.40)

PSN: ?3.59

Steam: ?3.99

Obviously the smallest amount of points you can buy is 500 on XBL but you're going to use them eventually anyway. Not so different from Steam Wallet which forces ?4 top ups and PSN which forces ?5.

It also removes price brackets & will probably blur the boundaries how much you pay for your downloads. i.e the most you pay for XBLA games is 1200, but re-working the system could also mean price increases, like Sony have with some of their larger PSN releases. That last part is purely speculative of course but I wouldn't be surprised especially if they are forward planning the system for the next Xbox.

Grand Master

Hedon

Posted
Posted

I thought Sony updated their system a couple of months back?? Like I am pretty sure if a game costs $8.99 for example, you can just put $8.99 worth of funds in your wallet, thus eliminating the leftover money thing happening?

With that said, I do know based on my last purchase on the PSN, that Sony does require a minimum of $5 added to one's "wallet." I only needed $4.79 to make a purchase as I had credit left over, and the system told me the minumum was $5, so I currently have .21 cents sitting in my PSN wallet.

But I am pretty sure they updated it to where you can put the exact amount needed, as long as said amount was over $5.

But yeah, this is long overdue IMO. Even if there does wind up being leftover change, I just prefer knowing the money value over how many points something is. Just a personal preference. Would be even better if you could just spend the exact amount you needed.

Yup, that is how it works. Similar to Microsoft's, which requires a minimum of a $5 purchase. Unfortunately, you can't buy points in odd amounts, only $5 increments. However, Games on Demand on Xbox allows you to buy the game using actual money, and not points, for the exact amount.

Grand Master

threetonesun

Posted
Posted

Well, you're basically fronting Microsoft money, so you would expect games to be cheaper on Live than on other services. It's like Office Space (or... Superman 3) except legal. When you buy 800 points and use 500, MS gets to keep that extra money and make interest off of it. Considering how many users they have, that can be a serious chunk of change.

So, while they should get rid of the wonky 80 points to a $1 system, I doubt we're going to see them allow for 1:1 purchases.

Grand Master

BajiRav

Posted
Posted

Yes, kill off the damn points system. They're an annoyance.

I don't see any reason why sony or ms can't just allow you to add exactly how much you need(whether it be in cash or points). Nintendo already allows you the option at checkout on the 3ds's eshop so it's not like something that's impossible.

Blame it on the credit card transaction charges. I never liked the idea of points but honestly, they haven't been any kind of PITA.

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