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Real currency Xbox Gift Cards to replace MS Point cards
The next Xbox 360 firmware update will push through Microsoft's switch from MS Points to local currency, the company announced earlier today. As a result, Microsoft will also be phasing out its current stable of MS Point gift cards in favor of "Xbox Gift Cards" that, as you might image, fulfill a similar role. The switch from Point cards to Gift Cards is set to take place sometime late this year, although whether that is indicative of when the currency conversion firmware update is slated to hit remains to be seen. Existing MS Point cards and codes will continue to be honored "until further notice" – any redeemed after the switch will be converted to "an amount of local currency equal to or greater than the Marketplace value of those points."
Xbox Live Rewards phasing out points next month, transition unveiled in Sept.
Xbox Live Rewards is doing away with Microsoft Points-based bonuses as of August 1, but the service itself is staying put, albeit in a new, as-yet-unannounced form. A Microsoft statement dates the bean-spill on that for September 1. At E3, Microsoft revealed the demise of Xbox Live's space-bucks ahead of the Xbox One's launch in November. The exact time-of-death has yet to be announced, but this week's news suggests those in the sooner-the-better camp won't be disappointed.
Banked Microsoft Points will convert to local currency at 'equal or greater' value
The Xbox ecosystem's conversion to local currency will be "equal or greater" than the existing Microsoft Point value currently banked on accounts. "When the transition takes place, the balance of Microsoft Points in an account will be retired and the customer will be given an amount in local currency that is equal or greater in Marketplace value," a Microsoft spokesperson informed Joystiq. "That value will be stored in your account and can be used similar to Microsoft Points to make purchases in the Xbox Live Marketplace." What that means in North America is that it will be 80 points (or less) to the dollar when the point exchange occurs. There is currently no official date for the conversion. [Thanks, Martin]
Report: Microsoft Points no longer the only way to pay with Windows 8
Microsoft Points may no longer be the only form of payment in Windows 8. According to Polygon's experience with Zune Marketplace on a final build of Windows 8, users can pay using actual money rather than being forced to use Microsoft's oft-maligned currency. In Windows 8 preview builds, Microsoft Points were the only form of payment. Now, they apparently aren't even the default.A rumor surfaced earlier this year suggesting Microsoft Points are being phased out completely, including from the Xbox Live platform they launched on. Two months ago, real money options briefly showed up on the Xbox Marketplace, though Microsoft claimed they were an error. The change to Windows 8 may be the signal of further changes across Microsoft's platforms, but for now the space bucks live on Xbox Live to fight another day.
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."
Rumor: Microsoft phasing out Microsoft Points
A rumor making the rounds today is Microsoft will phase out its Microsoft Points currency by year's end, in favor of real currency. According to InsideMobileApps, the change will affect Windows Phone, the Zune Marketplace and Xbox Live.The site claims "a source" provided the information and notes that mobile developers with Microsoft publishing agreements are being told to plan their upcoming downloadable content and in-app purchases in accordance with the change. Finally, customers with Microsoft Point balances at the time of conversion will have it switched to the their local currency.Two developers we spoke to who are working on Windows Phone 7 and Xbox Live content told us they hadn't heard anything about such a conversion. However, both noted that sometimes Microsoft doesn't tell them about major changes until it becomes need to know. They also hadn't heard whispers about the conversion until we contacted them.Checking in with Microsoft, a company spokesperson told us: "We do not comment on rumor or speculation."Update: Microsoft Switzerland has reportedly told Gbase.de that the rumor is not true. The Google translation is a bit confusing, but it roughly translates: "We can not confirm these rumors - we are currently satisfied with the current Xbox Live Business model."
Xbox Live Rewards glitch awarding extra MS Points
Either there's something wrong with the Xbox Live Rewards program, or it has become very, very rewarding indeed. Reports have been circulating today that Xbox Rewards members have been receiving an extra helping of MS Points in their Xbox Live accounts. Just how big an extra helping? Well, that seems to vary, along with exactly which members are getting the excess points. We can confirm that at least some Rewards members are definitely getting extra points, as two of our own staff members found their accounts overflowing with Microsoft space bucks earlier today. In one case, as evidenced by the image after the break, the same amount of points was deposited a whopping seven times. Microsoft is currently "investigating" the issue.
Amazon now offering Xbox 360 with free $50 credit and 1600 Microsoft Points
Amazon has, once again, sweetened the pot for purchasers of a new Xbox 360. For a limited time, folks who buy a 4GB or 250GB console (or their respective Kinect bundles) not only get a free $50 credit for future purchases, they also get a complimentary 1600 Microsoft Point card.
Grab 1600 MS Point Cards for 10 percent off, 12-month cards for $40
Whether you need some more Microsoft Space Bucks, or you're looking to renew your vows to the Xbox Live service, there are cheap ways for you to do both today: Amazon's knocked the price of 1600 MS Point cards down 10 percent, while Buy.com has 12-month Gold subscriptions for $40.
$20 MS Point cards discounted to $15 at Walmart [update: They're gone]
Update: And ... they're sold out! There may be no such thing as free money, but in this age of digital economies we're getting quite accustomed to discounted fake money. Enter Walmart, which is currently selling 1600 MS Point cards -- that's $20 worth -- for $14.96. Thrifty Nerd tells us that you don't even have to pay shipping costs if you choose the in-store pick up option. The Xbox Live Arcade House Party begins next month, including the likes of Torchlight and Beyond Good and Evil, so you might want to stock up on a few of these before they sell out. And they will, very fast.
Xbox Live Rewards program launches
The "Xbox Live Rewards" program tested over a year ago is now a real thing. The website for the US/UK-only loyalty program is now live, and you can sign up and check out the rewards. It's kind of like Club Nintendo, except instead of fans and tote bags, you get Microsoft Points and Microsoft Points. The bonuses range from 10 MSP for renewing a one-month membership, all the way to 400 for buying or renewing a family plan. You can also get 100 points for activating Netflix, unspecified bonuses for buying certain things on Marketplace, and an occasional 20 points for taking surveys. Microsoft also promises "cool prizes" in promotions. As Club Nintendo users know, there is basically no downside to a loyalty program like this. You do the stuff you were going to do anyway, and then someone gives you free stuff periodically. [Thanks, Blacked Out]
Games for Windows Marketplace relaunches right on time
Just as planned, the new browser-based Games for Windows Marketplace launched today. "Definitely you should show up on day one, because we're going to have a great pre-order on a title you may care about," product manager Peter Orullian teased several weeks ago. Well, we're not seeing "it" aaand ... there's not even Call of Duty: Black Ops on offer (or even Modern Warfare 2 for that matter). A Steam-killer this not -- not yet, at least. What the Marketplace does have going for it is a relatively user-friendly, if (for now) bare-bones interface, anchored by Live integration (squint and you'll see your faded-out, cross-platform Gamerscore in the upper right when you log in). Of course, Microsoft has stated its intent to vastly expand the site's catalog by offering plenty -- and there are plenty -- of PC games that are not Live-enabled. The new design also wisely highlights both the Deal of the Week (Osmos for $2.50) and new "DailyDeal" (GTA IV for $12), which are going to be key aspects of the new Marketplace. Additionally, there's an option on the site to add Microsoft Points to your Gamertag (Windows Live ID) account, and, while not obvious until you proceed to "checkout," you can use points as a payment method to purchase Games for Windows content -- already a dangerous aspect of the new Marketplace.
Spend $30 on XBLM in Oct., get $10 in MS Points back
Remember when all the good Xbox Live Arcade Games were just $5? Yeah, well, you're remembering incorrectly. If your miserliness is getting in the way of enjoying all that Xbox Live Marketplace has to offer, Microsoft is making the exorbitant spending a little easier next month. Spend 2400 Microsoft Points (that's a whopping $30!) between 12:01AM ET October 1 and 11:59PM ET October 31, and Microsoft will credit your Xbox Lvie account back 800 Points ($10) by November 30. Now, the promotion is valid on all game add-ons and XBLA titles, but we'll make the decision even easier for you: Comic Jumper + Super Meat Boy. Done. Pay me. Update: Microsoft has notified Joystiq that the promotion is only valid on purchases of game adds-on and XBLA titles (Avatar items and other XBLM content not included).
Bing offers Microsoft Points in search rewards program
Microsoft recently launched a tempting partner program for its Bing search engine. By installing the Bing toolbar (which appears to only be compatible with Windows rigs running Internet Explorer) and using it to search or taking part in daily promotions, you can earn Reward points. Notably, this form of fake currency can be easily exchanged for another: Microsoft Points. The program allows you to trade in Reward points for Microsoft Points in 100-point denominations -- though it's unclear how quickly one can accumulate these points. We do know that installing the Bing toolbar earns you 250 points from the get-go, of which 200 can immediately be exchanged for $2.50 worth of Xbox bucks. So what's the catch? There doesn't appear to be one.
NPD: 1600 MS Points card best-selling 'accessory' for two months
While the whole game industry was apparently tanking last month, it looks like people were still snapping up Microsoft Points. TechFlash noted late last week that the 1600 Microsoft Point card (equivalent to $20 in Earth money) was the top-selling "accessory" for both March and April, according to NPD. We decided to get in touch with the NPD Group for a closer look at how the accessory battle has been shaping up. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 1600 point card's closest competitors come from Nintendo (people have to play all those copies of New Super Mario Bros. Wii with something after all). In April, the Wii Nunchuk and Remote took the second and third spots, respectively. In March, the second and third spots belonged to the Nunchuk and Wii Motion Plus. The month prior, the card was actually at No. 2, so it seems like Microsoft is doing a pretty brisk business in MS Points. The question, of course: Just why was everyone stocking up on Microsoft Points? Oh, right.
UK: Download Red Dead trailer, get 400 MS Points
When it comes to effective marketing strategies, it's kind of hard to beat "give away free money." It looks like that's exactly what Rockstar is doing in the UK, as any Xbox Live Gold or Silver member that downloads the Read Dead Redemption "Multiplayer Free Roam" trailer from Xbox Live between April 26 and May 10 will receive some free goodies. Specifically, grabbing the trailer will net you a token to download a Red Dead Redemption dashboard theme and -- more importantly -- 400 Microsoft Points for free. The points and token will be sent to the associated Live ID email address used to download the trailer within four to six weeks. It's worth noting that the points expire on December 31, 2010, so don't plan on hoarding them. Also, the promotion is limited to the first 5,000 downloads (amounting to $25,000 in free money, incidentally). We're not sure how high the hype for Red Dead Redemption is in the UK, but we get the feeling this trailer is going to be pretty popular. Full details here.
Target offering discounted Wii, Xbox Live and PSN point cards
If you've been waiting for a marginal discount before bulk-buying the fake currency required to download content off your consoles' online marketplaces, Target's got you covered. Until this Saturday, you can stop by your local bullseye-branded retailer and grab a $20 Wii Point Card, Microsoft Point Card, or PlayStation Network card for just $17. Sure, it's not the biggest markdown in the history of shopping, but seeing as how we purchase online e-funds two to three times a day, even the smallest discounts are greatly appreciated. [Thanks, Mike]
MS Points now sold in $5 increments
Do you smell that? Can you taste it? That, dear readers, is the sweet taste of freedom. In more exact terms, it's the taste of never being forced to buy extra Microsoft Points again. The problem with Microsoft Points has always been summed up pretty accurately by the age-old hot dogs vs. hot dog buns debate. If you wanted to buy a 400 ($5) Xbox Live Arcade game, you were forced to buy 500 from Xbox Live Marketplace, leaving you with 100 nearly useless points. And let's not even start on the inexplicable fact that 80 is equivalent to $1, making the whole process that much more confusing. Thankfully, at least part of that has been rectified, as tipster Chuck points out that Microsoft is now selling MS Points in increments of $5 through the Xbox Live Marketplace on Xbox.com and through the console itself. Previously, the only way to get exact dollar amounts was to purchase physical point cards at a retailer, but not anymore. As evidenced above, users can now buy points in 400, 800, 1600 or 4000 point bundles, coming in at clean $5, $10, $20 and $50 price points. That's right, never again will you have to purchase some stupid gamer picture just to spend those spare points on something. Today, ladies and gentlemen, is a good day.
Class-action suit charges Microsoft with fraud
[Image credit: bloomsberries] In a lawsuit filed by Philadelphia-area lawyer Samuel Lassoff, Microsoft is being sued for allegedly taking money from consumers for Microsoft Points that were erroneously used during "incomplete and/or partial downloads of digital goods and services and refused refund of same." The Horsham, Pa. resident claims that "an invoice he received early this month from Microsoft included charges for purchases he couldn't complete due to a balky download system," according to an InformationWeek.com report. Furthermore, he contends that this was no accident on Microsoft's part. When we called Mr. Lassoff's law office for comment, we were met with a disconnected number message. However, the lawsuit's Facebook page (it's a brave new world, folks) calls the suit a "class action on behalf of several million US customers exposed to Microsoft Point fraud." Citing "fraud, breach of contract, negligence, unjust enrichment, and unfair business practices," Lassoff seeks a "full refund to all US consumers of all Microsoft Points fraudulently charged to consumers for incomplete or partial downloads of purchased digital goods and services." Aside from his current lawsuit, Mr. Lassoff previously sued Google, Yahoo, and IAC Interactive in 2006 -- all three suits were eventually dropped. [Thanks, Zo]
MS Point-buying dog gets Gamertag, owner gets refund
Remember Greg Strope? No? Perhaps you'll remember his dog, Oscar, who purchased 5000 Microsoft Points -- worth $62.50 -- last week while his owner slept. At the time, we reported that Strope was out of luck thanks to Microsoft's "no refunds" policy. As it turns out, Microsoft contacted Joystiq to inform us that it will refund Strope's money after all, and will be "providing extra for good measure." In addition, Microsoft is sending Strope an extra controller and an Xbox Live subscription just for Oscar. The company even set the dog up with his own Gamertag: Oscar The K9. Now, if Microsoft would just introduce a canine Avatar model, Oscar would be set for life.
