Microsoft Points

[THEMANWHOIS]

Seriously, what's the deal with Microsoft points? Does anyone actually like this system? I just bought a pack of 2000 points and was downloading some stuff, and now I have a measly 60 points left over. Why? Why can't we just spend the money that each thing costs, like on PSN?

Am I the only one that feels like this, or do other people hate Microsoft's obvious money-making scheme?

 

[GyroCaptain]

Seriously, what's the deal with Microsoft points? Does anyone actually like this system? I just bought a pack of 2000 points and was downloading some stuff, and now I have a measly 60 points left over. Why? Why can't we just spend the money that each thing costs, like on PSN?

Am I the only one that feels like this, or do other people hate Microsoft's obvious money-making scheme?

There's a VERY good reason, and that is that it provides a central exchange system by which things can be sold to any nation. MS gets to provide the MSRP of the Microsoft Points, keep them in escrow thus avoiding financial transfer charges, and retailers can offer them instead of only selling online. This makes it possible for people without a credit card to get stuff and be reminded to get stuff even when not right online. There are very many good reasons for it.

 

[ae86gamer]

I bought 4000 points for $50 and now I only have 80 points left. They disappear for me in a matter of minutes.

 

[GloatingSwine]

There's a VERY good reason, and that is that it provides a central exchange system by which things can be sold to any nation. MS gets to provide the MSRP of the Microsoft Points, keep them in escrow thus avoiding financial transfer charges, and retailers can offer them instead of only selling online. This makes it possible for people without a credit card to get stuff and be reminded to get stuff even when not right online. There are very many good reasons for it.

It also means that a single global price can be set for downloadable content and advertised on the web, so only one set of ad copy and graphic design work for ads gets done, but the actual price can be set in line with regional price variation.

 

[GrimRox]

I suppose it can be a control measure. Most young gamers would not have access to credit / debit cards so can buy codes instead of racking up bills on parents cards. My bosses son, for example, got a bit frivolous on his PSN network purchases and his dad didn't know until he got his statement through. Of course MS have the option of registering cards but you don't actually have to.

 

[KamachoMcSagget]

I feel like that, too. It's like with Wii Points, as well

 

[THEMANWHOIS]

There's a VERY good reason, and that is that it provides a central exchange system by which things can be sold to any nation. MS gets to provide the MSRP of the Microsoft Points, keep them in escrow thus avoiding financial transfer charges, and retailers can offer them instead of only selling online. This makes it possible for people without a credit card to get stuff and be reminded to get stuff even when not right online. There are very many good reasons for it.

I see what you're saying. Being able to buy points at a retail store is a good thing, as is the whole central exchange system. I guess the thing that bugs me are these leftover points. It's like money being wasted. Sure, very little money, but money nonetheless. It just sits there until we load up on points again, then have a little leftover again.

 

[ify_]

Am I the only one that feels like this, or do other people hate Microsoft's obvious money-making scheme?

Sounds to me like this will do more to promote piracy than anything else...though I don't know how much more pervasive it could be.

Edited to repair quotation

 

[Cliff_m85]

Generally it's a genius plan for them.

You're almost always left with just enough points to almost afford something else, which convinces you to buy another so those points don't go to waste. Add that since they are only points the consumer doesn't think about real life prices. Think about going to the fair and buying tickets, each ticket is $1. Would you be more willing to buy a corn dog for 4 tickets or 4 dollars? Same thing with the points, are you more willing to buy a Rock Band song for 160 points or for 2 dollars?

 

[Bluntknife]

The part that pissed em off about the microsoft point is that you buy them in increments of 500, 1000, 2000 etc.

But everything costs like 600, or 1200. just enough that you have to buy alittle more.
I realy hate microsoft in everyway.
but they did make dx10 which is pretty.

 

[megapenguinx]

I'm not a fan of the points system. I did like the Wii's where 1 point = .01 but even then if you had 100 points left you had to add on another $10 to use them. I do like PSN's where you spend only as much as you need (even though I did spend $30 on LBP add-ons :'().

 

[Mr_spamamam]

Am I the only one that feels like this, or do other people hate Microsoft's obvious money-making scheme?

aside from the fact that you need to pay for online gaming, although the Wii and the ps3 get it for free?
Microsoft love to gouge people for as much money as they can hoover up, because they are greedy greedy bastards. i know becasue i bought an xbox 360.

dont get me wrong. i enjoy playing the games and i think its a great console but i object to having to shell out each month so i can play online

 

[GloatingSwine]

I'm not a fan of the points system. I did like the Wii's where 1 point = .01 but even then if you had 100 points left you had to add on another $10 to use them. I do like PSN's where you spend only as much as you need (even though I did spend $30 on LBP add-ons :'().

Actually, the PSN only allows you to convert real money into playstation money in discrete amounts as well. It actually is a points system just like the other two, but it names the points after your local currency.

 

[Johnn Johnston]

As has already been said, they're used to be a universal currency on the Live Marketplace, which is handy as it stops additional credit card fees. Yes, it sometimes leaves you with around 60 or 100 points left over when all is said and done, but that is hardly a down side. It just gives you a bit more to use for next time.

 

[megapenguinx]

I'm not a fan of the points system. I did like the Wii's where 1 point = .01 but even then if you had 100 points left you had to add on another $10 to use them. I do like PSN's where you spend only as much as you need (even though I did spend $30 on LBP add-ons :'().

Actually, the PSN only allows you to convert real money into playstation money in discrete amounts as well. It actually is a points system just like the other two, but it names the points after your local currency.

Didn't know that actually. I thought it just used local prices and currency.
Still I do like how you only get what you pay for.

 

[Laughing Man]

Lol it's to grab as much cash as they possibly can.

Firstly you can never buy what you want for the specific amount of points that can be bought at a time, so you are always left over with points that will never be used and whatever way you slice it that's you paying for something you will never use.

Second by removing the concept of a fixed currency, by removing an essential element that is common to almost everything we do, i.e the price in your local currency. You; a. remove the sense of value for the item you are paying. 1,000 points sounds like something that is worth a lot but if 1,000 points equates to £5.99 then chances are the thing you are buying is gonna be pretty shit, b. you are encouraged to purchase more because hard currency value is easier to track than some smacktard made up currency.

I don't buy the concept that it is easier either. Steam and PSN both provide downloads valued in the currency of the region. If these two can manage it then surely one of the biggest, richest software developers on the planet can do it as well.

 

[Shapsters]

It is annoying, but like the other people are saying, there is a good reason for it. I do hate buying my stuff then being left with like 60 points that just sit there.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

In the future, the currency will be Microsoft Points.

 

[SmilingKitsune]

In the future, the currency will be Microsoft Points.

*shudders at the thought*
I don't mind the system itself but I'm a bit miffed that I have 25 points I can't get rid of, it's like having some change glued to your wallet.

 

[Chibz]

Generally it's a genius plan for them.

You're almost always left with just enough points to almost afford something else, which convinces you to buy another so those points don't go to waste. Add that since they are only points the consumer doesn't think about real life prices. Think about going to the fair and buying tickets, each ticket is $1. Would you be more willing to buy a corn dog for 4 tickets or 4 dollars? Same thing with the points, are you more willing to buy a Rock Band song for 160 points or for 2 dollars?

For me, personally? The dollar price. Because even if I don't use all the money I have available (because I don't WANT anything else), at the end of the day it's still money. A good that is easily redeemed at other locations than the fair/online service.

And the ticket/point is almost valueless.