MsPoints
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Windows 8 defaults direct cash payments for music and movies, puts Microsoft Points on backburner
Microsoft's real money to "Points" conversion has always been a point of contention among consumers, but that may all be about to change -- if the Windows 8 Zune Marketplace is any indicator, that is. Movies and music purchased via Windows 8 no longer default to the bizarre indirect system Microsoft set in place years ago with its Xbox Live platform, instead allowing actual currency for payment as well as MS Points (Windows 8 exclusively used the MS Point system for media purchases throughout beta). In fact, the system even automatically selects hard currency as the standard, reports The Verge. The MS Point system converts 80 MS Points to $1, and points much be purchased in a minimum of 400 point blocks -- a practice criticized as both deceptive and consumer hostile. Points were first implemented on Microsoft's Xbox 360 for purchase of games and associated content on Xbox Live Marketplace; the practice has since expanded to Microsoft's Zune music and movie platform, as well as Xbox.com. Direct payment is available as well, but only for select content, such as Games on Demand. As of this morning, the change hadn't affected the Xbox 360 Marketplace, though rumors earlier this year indicated that MS Points may be wholesale phased out by the end of 2012. Update: Microsoft offered us the following statement: "With Xbox expanding into new markets through Windows 8, we want to provide greater flexibility for you to purchase and access Xbox content by using your credit card. Local currency will be the primary method for making purchases in Windows 8. Current Xbox LIVE customers may also make a purchase using points. Microsoft Points continue to be the currency for purchasing content for the Xbox 360 console. We have nothing to announce regarding future plans."
Japan can now buy MSpoints via cell phone
We haven't heard news such as this since the last time Microsoft was showing off the so far poorly executed Live Anywhere. Beginning Monday, the Japanese phone service provider NTT DoCoMo will allow its users to pay for MSpoints or a Gold Subscription right from their phone. Any purchases made via the "DoCoMo Mobile Payment Service" are charged to the phone bill, thus bypassing any form of credit card information going to MS. While a move such as this isn't exactly out of character for a company, we have to wonder about the practicality of it for the masses. The most useful situation would be if you were the type of player who uses point cards and doesn't have any CC info associated with their Gamertag. Buying points via phone could save a trip to the store AND keep the evil empire away from your bank info. However, if this comes to the US we foresee many, many XBL brats using their phones to avoid bugging mom and dad for their credit cards ....
MS explains why you can't use exact change on XBL
We're going to be honest with you: We hate MS points. It's not because they're inconvenient, if anything, they're too convenient, and far too easy to spend. Whenever we get a mittful of them it's like when we go to another country where the money looks so dissimilar to our own that we just pretend all the bills are gift certificates. If we were paid in MS points, we would be broke in a week.One of the other (perhaps more concrete) issues that some users have is being forced to buy more points than they need, something that so annoyed 1UP's Patrick Klepek that he went out and found out why: "The reason why we do that, the core reason, is around credit card transaction fees," said Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg. "If we do this in bulk, we don't have to burden the consumer with the transaction fees, or ourselves or publishers."...OK, you win this round, Greenberg. Now, explain why points aren't worth a penny a piece, and we'll treat you to a (child's size) ice cream in a flavor of your choice.
Fanswag: Win Xbox Live Gold and MS Points
[Update: Our winners have been chosen and comments are now closed. Once we receive verification from said winners, we will post their names for all to see (and envy).]Well kiddies, it's finally time to start giving away the copious goodies we won in the Wing Commander Arena tournament. We've got lots of exciting stuff to give away, but we've decided to start small and work our way up. Of course, that doesn't mean our first round of prizes isn't awesome, because it is. For our first giveaway, we're doling out 1-year Xbox Live Gold subscriptions and massive amounts of MS Points. In all, we've got 4 prize packages to give away. 3rd and 4th prizes are 1-year of Xbox Live Gold and 1600 MS Points, 2nd prize is 1-year of Live Gold and 3200 MS points, and 1st prize is 1-year of Xbox Live Gold and a whopping 4800 MS Points. How do you win? Easy: Post a comment below. You can say whatever you like (hopefully something nice), but be sure you only post one comment. Posters of multiple comments will be disqualified. Entries will be accepted until Friday, August 31st at 11:00AM ET On Friday we'll randomly choose our four winners and notify them via email. Once our winners are verified, we'll announce them for all to see so they can gloat about their fabulous prizes. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, ages 13 or older (sorry kids, people say some nasty things on Xbox Live) For official rules, click right here. Now, get to commenting and good luck
Win free MS points from TheMan661
TheMan661, otherwise known as simply Frank, is offering up 1600 Microsoft Points to a lucky commenter with his Show Me The Money Points Contest. All you have to do is post a comment with either email address in the appropriate (mandatory) field, or if you'd rather have him message you over Xbox Live, your gamertag as well. So, what are you waiting for? Go comment now! While you're there, check out his Xcast, it's worth a listen.
Sony to offer pre-paid PSN vouchers in Japan
Those dying to download Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime (and who isn't?) from the Japanese PlayStation Network will now find another payment option nestled in the aisles of the nearest convenience store. IGN reports that PlayStation Network Tickets will soon be procurable from convenience stores and post office ATMs across Japan, allowing those without a means of direct electronic payment to enjoy and more importantly, pay for the wares of the PS3's virtual marketplace. The tickets will function in a similar fashion to Nintendo Wii Point cards and Xbox Live MS Point vouchers, with the exception that they'll be grouped in a non-bogus currency. Available in units of ¥1,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000, the cards will contain a 12-digit code recognized by the PSN as a command to fill up your virtual wallet with the corresponding amount. As for the possibility of PSN Tickets becoming available elsewhere, Sony offers, "We have no announcement regarding any changes to the electronic payment options on the PlayStation Store in North America at this time."
Microsoft unleashes 4000-point Marketplace cards
With the upgrade of the Xbox 360 hard drive comes an upgrade to the retail marketplace card as well. Not content having a 1600-point-per-card cap, Microsoft has created a card worth 4000 points now available online at Circuit City.The card will retail for $49.99 -- since 4000 MS points converts to US $50, that's like savings of a whole penny! (And additional fees of sales tax and / or shipping, where applicable.) We're still of the opinion that the most convenient and cost-effective conversion of dollars-to-MS points is a funds purchase via Xbox Live Marketplace itself, we understand the need for these cards as gifts or for youngsters given a (in this case, rather steep) allowance to satiate their online needs.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Poll: how much do you spend on MS Points?
Update: This poll is now closed. Check out the latest Fancast for our discussion of the results. You can view the final results after the break.So, putting together a little tax info this morning, I decided to check out how much money I'd spent on Xbox 360 related things. $299 for a Core System (I know, but it's all they had), $99 for a hard drive, all that stuff. Delving a little deeper, I decided to check on all the the online purchases I'd made, which led me to MS Points purchased for content on Marketplace. From June (when I started here at X3F) to December 2006, I have purchased a staggering 7500 MS Points, equivalent to $93.75. That's almost two entire retail games.X3F wants to know how much you've spent on MS Points in the last 12 months. To check your own account, follow this link, enter your .NET info, and click "Points" on the left side of the screen. You can access your transactions from up to 12 months ago. Add up your running total and submit your answer in the poll. Of course, if you don't want to go through all that trouble, you could always guess. Place your vote after the break.
Aquazone publisher fishing for MS Points, 5000 MS Points!
EA could learn a thing or two from Frontier Works. The publisher of Aquazone released its Japanese aquarium sim with only 480 unlockable Achievement Points. To get the rest, players need to hit Xbox Live Marketplace and start paying.Recently, an additional 400 points were made available through the purchase of 18 new fish. Anyone willing to take the bait would end up forking over an alleged 5,000 Microsoft Points ($62.50).Suspiciously, each fish weighs a mere 108KB, suggesting that purchasers aren't actually downloading new content, but simply buying code that unlocks the relevant data on the game disc. This would explain how Frontier dodged Microsoft's requirement, which demands that all Xbox 360 titles include 1,000 Achievement Points (Xbox Live Arcade games must contain 200 points). Aquazone does offer 1,000 points to add to your Gamerscore; but it costs more than your playing time to unlock them. Scandalous.[Via GameLife]
Joystiq review: Assault Heroes (XBLA)
It really is quite unnerving how rapidly a game like Assault Heroes can expose a terrifying desire, possibly even an instinct, amongst every single gamer alive. Perhaps it's just common sense, but when something moves, we absolutely have to kill it. Whether it's a tank, an alien, a robot or just a poorly constructed mass of pixels meant to represent evil, taking a step towards us is rarely interpreted as a welcoming gesture. No, sir. That step was your last. That isn't to say we're a naturally violent lot. Some games simply slip into that easily accessible groove where things come rushing at you and your brain automatically makes sure that a bullet's gone out to greet them. Assault Heroes taps into this familiar area with some precision, much like a group of miners donning helmets and heading into a nostalgia mineshaft. They'll come back with the shiny things you adore, but it's not like you haven't seen any of it before. Maybe you've witnessed it in a necklace or ... let's just forget this metaphor. It's crap.
RoboBlitz hitting Xbox Live Arcade this week
Another new franchise is arriving on Xbox Live Arcade this week, one that notably boasts robots, explosions, and in certain circumstances, exploding robots. Developed by Naked Sky Entertainment, RoboBlitz sees you guiding a charming little contraption through all manner of gear-grating, cog-crunching puzzles and ridding the world of nasty space pirates. You know, pirates. But in space.Other key phrases you might associate with RoboBlitz are "physics-driven challenges," "Unreal Engine 3" and "available this Wednesday, December 6, at 1AM PST." According to the press release (read it after the break), the trial version will offer three different levels in its attempt to get 1200 MS points (that's $15) out of you for the full game. As one of the more expensive titles on Microsoft's service, its argument will have to be persuasive indeed. Penny-pinchers might also consider the Steam version on PC -- at $14.99, it makes for a saving of one whole cent.
Lumines Live pricing change planned?
The guys at Xboxic obtained this promising message from Xbox Customer Support:Thanks for contacting XBOX Customer Support, Luminous Live is known to have some issues regarding unsatisfactory in it's download. Please wait until Monday to see wether we have any updates regarding this issue. Do not download or purchase anything else that has to be dealt with Luminous Live. Until then, feel free to contact us via telephone for any updates of this issue and what we can offer you. For any questions regarding this issue, please contact Xbox customer support on http://www.xbox.com/support/contact/ Thanks for time and support, XBOX customer service team. This communique raises a series of intriguing questions?: 1. Will Microsoft lower, or otherwise alter, the much-hated pricing structure for Luminous, or rather Lumines Live? The unusual step of instructing consumers not to buy an XBLA game indicates that they will.2. If so, will MS reimburse the unlucky saps who alread shelled out for the "complete" game in its current usurious form?3. Is grammatical English just too much to ask of a certain percentage of the Xbox Customer Service Team?
Win a Zune from Engadget [update 1]
Our heavily connected blog cousin Engadget is celebrating their relaunch by giving away five "vertically integrated portable media players" -- aka Zunes -- courteously provided by Microsoft for hype purposes. All you have to do is leave a comment on this thread naming your favorite song (and the artist that sings it) and pray that the gadget gods smile on your entry. We're still not sure exactly when this device ships (Holiday Season), how much it costs ($300?), or exacty how it will incorporate Mr. Allard's mysterious Live Anywhere service (not much at first) but we do know the Zune Marketplace will accept the same MS points we 360 fanboys use to buy over-priced horse armour.Update: To clarify, posting a comment here on 360 Fanboy will win you a lot of nothing. Click over to Engadget if you'd like to win a Zune.
Shopping tips from Dave & Buster's hero
Reader DCFC Fan likes "sticking it to the man" so much, he paid for his 360 by earning 85,000 Dave & Buster's tickets -- thereby earning the respect of fanboys everywhere. It turns out he also has a few shopping tips that don't involve skee ball:Xbox Live Gold subscription cards for 12+1 months are available for $35.82 [from Wal-mart.com] (and have been for a couple of weeks). While it's a great deal, $6.99 for basic shipping takes the fun out of it.The solution? Print out the Walmart ad and take it to Circuit City for their generous price match. Thirteen months of XBL Gold for $35.82. Nice.Secondly, while I liked to keep this lesser known tip under my hat, screw Best Buy. They will probably change this eventually, so let's stick it to them while we can.The trick to getting 1600 MS Points for $14.99? The BBY GGC or Best Buy Gamer Gift Card. These gift cards are near the check out, in cd jewel case type packaging. The bonus here is that there is a $5.00 off any game accessory $19.99 and up coupon in the packaging. Buy gift card, putting $5 or $10 on it, then go back through with your gift card, $5 coupon and 1600 MS Points.Not a bad way to pay for Cloning Clyde and Streetfigher 2.
Price of MS Points on the rise?
Mike from K1lla's Xbox Domain noticed that Gamestop/EB is selling pre-paid 1600 MS Point cards for the unheard of price $24.99 (Amazon and Best Buy still list them at $19.99). Is Gamestop ripping people off on their own, or is Microsoft testing a new exchange rate?
Bad at math? Use this MS Points converter
Been duped into forking over 200 "Microsoft Points" for some fancy horse armor, only to have your waning, embarrassingly poor math skills catch up with your error after the fact? "2.50? 2.50?! I coulda bought a bunch of gamertag pictures for that!"You're right dear reader, although we'd question that expenditure as well. In the real world, $2.50 can buy all sorts of great stuff like: four thousandths of a PlayStation 3, some Taco Bell, or a small water at a movie theater. Using bigsteveouk's Unofficial Microsoft Points Converter, you can convert Microsoft's funny money into real currency before making any more impulse buys, and then save that money for important stuff. [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
MS Points currency converter
Big Steve Hunter from the UK (GamerTag: bigsteveouk) created this handy 6 currency MS Points converter just in case you forget you're spending real Yen on the latest over-priced content.[Thanks Mike]
MS Point fraud reported (Updated)
Reader Drew shares a worrisome tale about unauthorized MS points on his passport account following the XBL down time—when it was impossible to purchase points:Just before Live came back up today, I got an email thanking me for my purchase of 500 MS Points on the Live Marketplace. The fun part is that I live alone and had not turned on my console today or yesterday--so I was curious as to how I could be charged for points--especially when the Live was down and unavailable for such transactions. At first I thought it was just an example of clever phishing, but when I turned on my 360 to find out, sure enough, I had more points than the last time I turned it off. I checked my passport account online and it said the points had indeed been purchased today. I called MS Support and they agreed with me (and not my cynical friend) in saying that it was impossible for me to buy points today--at least before Live came back up and that they would escalate the issue and I should expect a waiver of the 'no-refund' policy pending investigation--given the strange circumstances. Could be a one time thing--or just my luck, but if it happens to another guy somewhere, maybe it's news.Disturbing story. Has this happened to anybody else?(Update: Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and are crediting the affected accounts. From the Xbox.com forums: "All affected users will be getting refunds, none of you is going to have to pay for our mistake. And you'll be able to keep the extra points too. We are still working out the details, and it could take a few days for all of this to be fully resolved, but I wanted you to know that we absolutely will be taking care of this, no one will have to pay for any of these charges." Makes me wish my account was affected too!)
