According to rumors, those pesky Microsoft Points will be gone by the end of 2012. For the uninitiated, Microsoft Points are the system of virtual currency used to buy content on Xbox LIVE, Zune Marketplace, and Windows Mobile Marketplace.
The points, which do not correspond to actual money in a way that makes sense to human beings, seemingly have no purpose except to make you spend more money. If you don't know how much an actual item costs, you're more likely to fork over points for it. It's like trading tickets in at the arcade. Can you believe this bouncy ball that would only cost me fifty-cents at the store was only 12,450 tickets? SCORE! Plus, you can only purchase microsoft points in bundles, and because of Microsoft's pricing structure, you always end up buying more points than you actually need, which means more money for Microsoft and a pair of sunglasses for your avatar.
While most other app stores use dollar-to-dollar cost models (except for the Nintendo Wii, which also uses points), Microsoft has stood by their confusing and convoluted system that makes you feel like a clueless American tourist trying to figure out what 34,000 Yen equates to in US dollars so you can get a new girlfriend pillow. Now, it seems the system is so out of line with the way the rest of the industry does business, that Microsoft might actually have to price things at what they cost, and not in their archaic system of space bucks.
What do you think? Do you want to see the death of Microsoft Points?
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BeRice
Good Get rid of the points and put in a cash value system...
gtstcactus
about time they do away with there stupid point system, it's nothing but a scam so people don't realise how much they are spending...
JohnLikesLinux
The consumers will be better off without the current points system. It is designed very well by Microsoft to make a profit. Seriously, they will get an extra buck out of you even if you know that they're trying to get an extra buck out of you. A straight up transaction would be best. Pay $5 and get $5 added to your account (whether it's a prepaid card or credit card).
poppat9
So does that mean every thing's gonna be free?
TheOneBearded
There should be an option allowing you to choose if you want to keep the point system or go straight to a normal currency exchange.
lowkevmic
People have a problem with the point system because it doesn't make sense to that person, it does not mean the system doesn't make sense. For a gamer like myself, I just go ahead and buy my points in bulk. That way, I may want something for 1200 points(15 bucks) now, but I will still have a ton of points leftover for the next game, movie, or DLC maybe 3 months down the road. I don't just buy points everytime I see something I want only to complain because I spent more money for maybe 100 extra points needed to complete my purchase.
Just look at it like this...Besides Avatar gear, all other content is sold in incriments of 5.00 bucks. 400= 5.00
800= 10.00
1200= 15.00
1600= 20.00
They even sell their points in that fashion. The real issue here is that not all incriments are for sell at one given time. Eventhough on occasion items will go on sale for like 200 points, throwing off your points.
So if you were to at one time drop 50 or 100 bucks on your points, you're looking at 4000-8000 points. That's dlc, games, and movies using points, without having to fork over cash everytime. Cash someone may or may not have at the time of purchase. If other online stores allowed you to have a bank account to save your money like MS does with points, then I will see a need to complain. But if I'm flat broke, or simply unwilling to shell over 10 or 15 dollars for a new arcade game or some maps, it's always good to know that my points won't expire, and I can always add to my account. Just like with real money, if you don't blow your whole wad on the first thing you see, you might be able to enjoy the benefits of your points later.
TheUltimateXD
i think they might be getting rid of them in June is they DO decide to get rid of them. On the Xbox Rewards thing, it says that they expire in June of 2012. maybe they just go away, but now that i heard this, idk.Wil they go away in June?
camaro72toy
This is basically saying to me that everything on XboX live will be FREE...great idea to me.....get rid of the points.
Tella_Tuby_Crack
FINALLY!
meatlhead420
i use m.s point alot and i would think that microsoft would keepm.s points 4 all of the gamers that use them if they dont we all shouldl boycot xbox live
firecloud42
for the love of god
800 points = $10
1600 points = $20
silent136
points need to stay , that's all i use, 80 points = $1.00 , that's a lot of indie games you can get. i like having points left over, it`s not that big of a deal having left over points , they add up. and i use them for map packs and add on stuff. so yeah... 160 points = $2.00, 240 points = $3.00,1600 points = $20.00 . 800 points = $10.00
MicrosoftPaysMeToo
i dont know why everyone hates the points so much. 80 points is a dollar, 800 points is 10 dollars, its not rocket science
PCTech714
Glad to see them go. I understand the marketing reasons behind them, but there's really no need, especially since the PS3 has been using a real money system since it was released (for the record, I own both systems).
However, I still don't understand how anyone who passed basic math couldn't understand how to do such a simple calculation.
SonicATL
They already let users buy retail games with cash via Games on Demand, so why not everything else? IDK if MS points are going away, but it won't be a bad thing if they do.
silent136
points need to stay , that's all i use, 80 points = $1.00 , that's a lot of indie games you can get. i like having points left over, it`s not that big of a deal having left over points , they add up. and i use them for map packs and add on stuff. so yeah...
nightsnipe
I buy the point cards b/c I dont trust putting my credit cards in the system after all that has happened lately.
so as long as they still have prepaid cards of some sort it doesnt bother me much
nightsnipe
I buy the point cards b/c I dont trust putting my credit cards in the system after all that has happened lately.
so as long as they still have prepaid cards of some sort it doesnt bother me much
silent136
points need to stay , that's all i use, 80 points = $1.00 , that's a lot of indie games you can get. i like having points left over, it`s not that big of a deal having left over points , they add up. and i use them for map packs and add on stuff. so yeah...
silent136
points need to stay , that's all i use, 80 points = $1.00 , that's a lot of indie games you can get. i like having points left over, it`s not that big of a deal having left over points , they add up. and i use them for map packs and add on stuff. so yeah...
Displaying 21–40 of 103
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