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Dog buys 5,000 Microsoft points, says he just wanted to check out the Abbey Road DLC
Say what you will about dogs being man's best friend -- they sure can get into a lot of trouble. While our dogs have been limited to eating shoes and shedding on our furniture, Greg Strope of Richmond, Virginia has reason to believe his furry friend has gone the extra mile. While he lay in bed sleeping, his dog Oscar, he believes, purchased 5,000 Microsoft points. The only possible culprit, Oscar left some telltale signs (drool and scratches) on the Xbox controller, leading Greg to blame the $63 purchase on him. We have to admit the dog's actions rather impress us, though it also makes us nervous about all those times we left our laptop open and unattended around our own tiny beast. Video featuring damning photographic evidence is after the break.
Dog buys 5000 MS Points (no, really) [update]
Update: Turns out Microsoft refunded Strope's money after all. The company even set the dog up with his own Xbox Live account. Read about it here. While most Xbox owners are patently aware of the dangers of late night, impulse Microsoft Point purchases, we imagine no one ever worried about their dog doing the same thing. And yet Greg Strope of Richmond, Virginia tells Fox News that his dog, Oscar, purchased 5000 Microsoft Points, adding up to a total of $62.50. Strope says he received an email while he was sleeping and discovered it was a purchase confirmation from Microsoft. When he went to check his Xbox 360, he found that his controller had been chewed by his dog, and he presumed the animal had not only managed to turn on the console, but subsequently purchased the points. Strope noted that Microsoft has a no refund policy and he wishes the company make it more difficult to purchase points. Our suggestion to Strope: Don't leave your controllers (or your Xbox, for that matter) within reach of the dog. Also, don't drink and play Rock Band. See Strope's interview after the break.
The Daily Grind: What's your preferred payment method?
Credit cards (including debit cards), Paypal, Microsoft Points, game-time cards. Every payment method has its positives and negatives. As a famous and profitable social-media personality, you probably have more dollars in your Paypal account than you do on your credit card. You can get a Paypal debit card for that, that you can use pretty much anywhere you'd use regular plastic. Microsoft Points or game-time cards? They've got definite advantages – you can buy them when you've got a little extra cash in your account, and use them when you need them rather than getting awkwardly billed on the very day of the month your mortgage payment is due (two days before you get paid each month – oh, yes. We've been there!) Given a variety of payment options, how would you prefer to pay for your MMOG subscriptions, if you had the choice?
Spotted: Popcorn box o' Xbox 360 peripherals
Click to jump in! Joystiq has obtained official box art for an apparent Xbox 360 peripheral bundle. Diving a hand into the "popcorn" box (warning: contents inedible), one looks to pull out the following: (1) Mini Universal Media Remote (the original Pro pack-in!) (1) Wireless Network Adapter (apparently not the 802.11n version) (1) Xbox Live 3-Month Gold Card (1) 800 Microsoft Points Card (0) No actual popcorn While pricing and release details have yet to surface (though box art has been created for various European territories), we expect this package of dusty inventory -- hey, it's called "flexibility" people! -- to coincide with the release of the remote-less, WiFi-less Elite Holiday Bundle in the coming months.%Gallery-73810%
Buy 4000 MS Points from Amazon, get $10 free credit
There's a new deal at Amazon's recently opened Xbox Live Store. Right now, if you purchase 4000 Microsoft Points, you'll get $10 in credit on future purchases. Essentially, it's like getting another 800 points. For those that can't pony up $50 for the 4000 points, Amazon is also offering $5 in free credit for purchasing 1600 MS Points. It's not exactly a killer deal either way, but it should nab an extra XBLA game or at least some DLC down the road. Regardless, given XBLA prices lately, you'll need all the points you can get.[Thanks, Jonathan]
Deadliest Catch giving away free MS points ... don't get too excited
Microsoft is partnering on some Discovery Channel ad buy to promote Deadliest Catch -- it's a show about crab fisherman and a badly reviewed game -- but the only things worth caring about are the free MS points being given away. The campaign will have "a number of click-to-video executions across the Xbox LIVE platform with a call-to-action Deadliest Catch Text to Win Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes provides viewers with a specific mobile SMS code to text for a chance to win Microsoft Points."Microsoft and Discovery will give away a whopping 2 million MS Points to 5,000 winners during the promo ... hey, wait a minute. Let's do the mathematicals on that: 2,000,000 MS points / 5,000 people = 400 MS points. So, they're giving out $5 XBLM redemption codes? Oh well, guess it's $5 those 5,000 folks didn't have before. Full details about the promotion can be found here.
Product zenergy: Microsoft making 'Zune Xbox app'
PlayStation 3 and PSP play nice together, so we've always been a bit baffled as to why Microsoft hasn't created similar synergy between the Xbox 360 and its iPod-chaser, Zune. Now, it looks like MS is taking steps to formally introduce the devices to one another – at least that's what one of its job postings suggests.According to CNET, Microsoft is looking to add a user experience designer to its Zune group, with a focus on the Zune user interface, Zune PC application – used to access the Zune Marketplace – and ... the Zune Xbox application? It could be that the company is working on a means to (finally) download, manage and transfer Zune Marketplace content on 360 to Zune (and vice-versa). MS has said that the New Xbox Experience will make it easier to roll out extension services (see Netflix and Photo Sharing) without the need for major system updates.[Via Engadget]
800 Microsoft Points cards hit retail
Another option is now available at retail for shoppers in the U.S. looking to purchase cards loaded with Microsoft Points. In addition to the 1600 Point variety available for $19.99, Microsoft has released a 800 Point card for the easier to swallow price of $9.99. It's convenient, plus gift cards remain a bastion of hope for the last minute holiday shopper. And for those who fancy video games on your lists, why not fill their stockings with digital money instead. It works just like regular money, but it's, er ... fun.
800 MS point cards now available at retail [update]
Update: Upon further inspection, the pricing for 800 MS point cards looks to be $9.99 making it only $.01 cheaper than 1600 point cards.At retail in the U.S., Microsoft point purchasers only have one buying option and that's a 1600 Microsoft point card for around $19.99. But let's say a customer (a retail buying customer) wants, say, half that. Something more like 800 points. Well, that customer would normally be out of luck. That is until now, because we just learned that Microsoft is now selling 800 MS point cards at the retail level. These point of sale activation cards (as seen above) are even value priced at $9.39 USD priced at $9.99, which is in line with the 1600 point cards. How's that for convenience? [Thanks, Adam L.]
360 Deals: 1600 MS points for $15 and more
It's the week Xbox Live Arcade purchasers have been looking forward to, because Target stores are selling 1600 Microsoft points cards for the oh so nice price of $15. But that's not all, they also have CoD4, Battlefield: Bad Company or Army of Two for $50 and are also giving away $40 gift cards with the purchase of any Xbox 360 console and Madden 09. Best Buy has a similar deal, where if you buy an Xbox 360 console and Madden 09 they'll throw in a free wireless controller. Other than that and Turok for $30, Best Buy's 360 deals are kind of lacking this week. Over at Circuit City, they're selling CoD4 for $40, Gears of War for $30, Juiced for $15, and giving away a free mini football with Madden 09 or a free $5 gift card if you purchase Madden 09 online. Finally, Circuit City is handing out free $30 gift card with the purchase of any Xbox 360 console.Happy shopping and be sure to stock up on those cheap Microsoft points, because as you're well aware, Castle Crashers is releasing soon!
Gamefly offers up special Xbox Live offer
For those about to jump into the Gamefly game rental waters, we've come across a promotional offer that'll sweeten the deal and make the entire jumping in process a little easier.Gamefly currently has a promotion running where they're offering all Xbox Live subscribers their first month of rentals for only $5.95 PLUS they're throwing in 400 Microsoft points for free. That's of course for one rental at a time, but you can up your rentals to two for $9.95 (again, only the first month) and still get the free MS points. Note that this offer is only good for new Gamefly accounts and the monthly fee will get jacked back up to a minimum of $15.95 a month. But, like we said, it's a good introductory offer if you were thinking about doing the whole Gamefly thing anyway.[Thanks, Adam L]
Xbox Live size limit upped to 350MB, price limit to 1600 MS points
Good news for everyone wondering how the heck Soul Calibur was going to fit within Xbox Live Arcade's puny 150MB limit: although we knew it was planned to up the size limit to 350MB, Xbox Live General Manager Marc Whitten has made it official."We are officially increasing our XBLA game size limits dramatically from 150MB to 350MB," said Whitten in an interview with Next-Gen. He also said the price limit of Xbox Live Arcade games has been raised to 1600 MS points (US $20), which was first seen this week for Penny Arcade Adventures.
Activision, 7-Eleven to promote Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, quench thirst
While Activision's upcoming Aerosmith-centric flavor of Guitar Hero may still have some of us sitting on the fence, a new partnership between the publisher and 7-Eleven ensures that we can at least enjoy and icy cold Slurpee while considering rocking out to the "bad boys of Boston." Activision and the convenience store chain, along with Coca-Cola and Microsoft have teamed to promote Guitar Hero: Aerosmith by offering 22-ounce Slurpee cups branded in the series' artwork, though bizarrely the above art is not of the upcoming version at all. Each the cups will include codes on the underside to enter an online contest to win the game, an Xbox 360, or Microsoft Points. According to an official announcement of the promotion, the parties plan on giving away 744 copies of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and 711,000 Microsoft Points throughout the month of May. In addition, 10 Slurpee drinkers will walk away with a shiny new console and a copy of the game, leaving us pondering the only other question worth asking: Wild Cherry or Classic Cola?
FOX is giving away 200 MS point codes for FREE! [update]
Update: All of FOX's free Microsoft point codes for this promotion are now gone. Congrats to those who got in on the fun.Come and get your free Microsoft points! As part of their marketing fun for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, FOX is giving away 200 FREE Microsoft points to anyone with an email address and a gamertag. Yes, FREE with no strings attached. Simply head on over to the official Sarah Connor Chronicles website and look towards the bottom right hand side. There, you'll spot an "X-BOX FREE POINTS" form where you can enter your email address and gamertag. Then, wait a few seconds, check your email and tada! You should have received an email with a code you can redeem for 200 Microsoft points. We aren't sure how many codes they are giving away or how long this will last, so we advise heading over to the Sarah Connor Chronicles website stat. We love you FOX ... free Microsoft points FTW![Thanks, Eddie Barrera]
Microsoft points are now giftable
Okay, we take back our previous last minute holiday gift idea, because this is the ultimate last minute gift.Just launched the other day is a brand new online Windows Live feature that allows you to send and receive Microsoft points for use on Xbox or Zune accounts. But, there are a few stipulations. Currently, the gifting of Microsoft points digitally can only be done between US Windows Live accounts and you must know the Windows Live ID (not gamertag) of the person you are giving points to. Though, if you fulfill those requirements, giving the gift of Microsoft points is as easy as signing into your account, clickity clicking and BAM! Instant gift. We're not sure how much we'll use this (we enjoy giving tangible Microsoft point cards and we simply do not remember Windows Live IDs), but it's still a jolly good online feature no matter. Oh, and we'll give out our Windows Live ID if you ask ... you know, just for information sake.[Via Major Nelson, Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Buy Guitar Hero II, get 1600 MSFT points free
From now through August 18th, when you purchase Guitar Hero II from Circuit City you'll get 1600 Microsoft points for free and free shipping on your online order. This offer is available online and in-store, but you'll have to send in a rebate form to get your money back. Check out the offer here.True, we have seen a similar free 1600 Microsoft points offer before when GH II released and there was no forms to send in. But if you're willing to send in a rebate and wait for your cash this is definitely a good deal. Or you could just wait for Guitar Hero III or the game X3F is in love with ... Rock Band. Decide and plan your purchase accordingly.
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.
Xbox Rewards may be expiring rewards [update 1]
X3F reader Shafnitz sent word that his Microsoft points that he won for completing the Xbox Rewards challenge are expiring. After winning the Old Spice Experience Challenge at level three, Shafnitz won a bunch of stuff including a 200 Microsoft points code. After redeeming the code and going on his merry way, weeks went by and he recently got the urge to take a look at his account online. And, to his surprise, he was smacked in the face with a points expiration notice as seen above. Expiring Microsoft points, who ever heard of that? Well, according to Microsoft's FAQ it states that "purchased points don't expire" but that "any points you get through promotions can have expiration dates. Typically, points expire within thirty days of the date you get them".Update 1: Shafnitz informed us that his expiring points problem was probably due to a contest he won over at the Gamerscore Blog and not from the Xbox Rewards giveaway. Oops on his behalf. So, expiring points from the Xbox Rewards program may not be true, but there are still expiring Microsoft points out there. You've been warned.
4000 Microsoft points cards coming soon? [update 1]
Yesterday, we received an anonymous tip from a Microsoft rep stating that they've been giving out promotional materials for an upcoming retail 4000 Microsoft points card. The rumored 4000 points card is said to be priced at $49.99 and be Microsoft's answer to getting Marketplace addicts their "fix" in one convenient (albeit huge) purchase. Our tipster also said that they had no firm release date on the new card as all the materials they were given listed it as "Coming Soon". If true, this would would be the second US retail version of Microsoft points cards coexisting with the current 1600 points cards which cost around $19.99. More money, more points, more problems ... how else did you expect to fill that 120 GB HDD? With Monopoly money?Update 1: Look what we have here. We guess it's no longer a rumor, go forth and buy your 4000 Microsoft points cards today!
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]
