Xbox Live Currency Conversion Results In Hefty Price Hike

[BoogieManFL]

For fucks sake, $1 =/= £1

How come come businesses are so ignorant in regards to currency conversion?

Because it makes them more money. That's why. :/

 

[Phrozenflame500]

Try reading the article before you get outraged. This has nothing to do with dollars to pounds; in fact dollars aren't mentioned even once.

Microsoft points were roughly designed so that 100MSP = $1.

So if 100MSP = $1, and 100MSP = £1 then by Microsoft logic $1 = £1.

 

[lacktheknack]

It's likely this isn't really a price hike but more of a price correction. In other words, it's likely the price conversion is based on the MSRP of the point cards, but people are used to the points cards being sold below MSRP.

For example, in the US, the MSRP of a 1600-point card is $19.99, but it isn't too hard to find them for $17.99 or even $16.99 on sale. But with the new system, items that were formerly 1600 points are being priced at $19.99, creating what appears to be a price hike.

That may be what is happening in the UK. Just my speculation. Can anyone in the UK who isn't in the beta chime in on how much it costs to buy MSP through the dashboard?

I can't speak for people in the UK, but that is not the case in Canada. If I understood correctly, in the US it used to be that 80 points was equal to a dollar. Over here in Canada for some reason a dollar bought you 70 points which resulted in higher prices. Now without the points the Canadian prices are the same as the American ones so everything's a few dollars cheaper! Don't know why no ones reporting on that...

It's because that's good but small news. There's nothing less popular on news sites than small good news.

 

[lacktheknack]

Try reading the article before you get outraged. This has nothing to do with dollars to pounds; in fact dollars aren't mentioned even once.

Microsoft points were roughly designed so that 100MSP = $1.

So if 100MSP = $1, and 100MSP = £1 then by Microsoft logic $1 = £1.

Actually, 80MSP = $1, if I remember correctly.

Ergo, pounds Sterling got more points per unit.

To be truly 1 for 1, one pound Sterling should have gotten you 120MSP, but at least it's only half the raw deal you thought it was.

 

[Alek The Great]

It's likely this isn't really a price hike but more of a price correction. In other words, it's likely the price conversion is based on the MSRP of the point cards, but people are used to the points cards being sold below MSRP.

For example, in the US, the MSRP of a 1600-point card is $19.99, but it isn't too hard to find them for $17.99 or even $16.99 on sale. But with the new system, items that were formerly 1600 points are being priced at $19.99, creating what appears to be a price hike.

That may be what is happening in the UK. Just my speculation. Can anyone in the UK who isn't in the beta chime in on how much it costs to buy MSP through the dashboard?

I can't speak for people in the UK, but that is not the case in Canada. If I understood correctly, in the US it used to be that 80 points was equal to a dollar. Over here in Canada for some reason a dollar bought you 70 points which resulted in higher prices. Now without the points the Canadian prices are the same as the American ones so everything's a few dollars cheaper! Don't know why no ones reporting on that...

It's because that's good but small news. There's nothing less popular on news sites than small good news.

It's good to know no one gives a shit about Canada...



But in all seriousness, it's part of the exact same story but makes the price hike look a lot less malicious and more like they are still tweaking things. Then the story isn't anywhere near as scandalous and people will be less likely to get their pitchforks out.

I guess it would be too much to research other regions but I hate how easily people jump to conclusions. Yes, MS fucked up with the Xbone, but come on...

 

[lawrencein]

It's likely this isn't really a price hike but more of a price correction. In other words, it's likely the price conversion is based on the MSRP of the point cards, but people are used to the points cards being sold below MSRP.

For example, in the US, the MSRP of a 1600-point card is $19.99, but it isn't too hard to find them for $17.99 or even $16.99 on sale. But with the new system, items that were formerly 1600 points are being priced at $19.99, creating what appears to be a price hike.

That may be what is happening in the UK. Just my speculation. Can anyone in the UK who isn't in the beta chime in on how much it costs to buy MSP through the dashboard?

500 Microsoft Points - £4.25
1000 Microsoft Points - £8.50
2000 Microsoft Points - £17.00
5000 Microsoft Points - £42.50
6000 Microsoft Points - £51.00

Which is off by about £0.07 per 400MSP from the original price quoted in the OP.

 

[UnnDunn]

Try reading the article before you get outraged. This has nothing to do with dollars to pounds; in fact dollars aren't mentioned even once.

Microsoft points were roughly designed so that 100MSP = $1.

So if 100MSP = $1, and 100MSP = £1 then by Microsoft logic $1 = £1.

Um, no. You're thinking of Wii eShop points.

MSP has always been 80 points to $1 USD.

 

[walrusaurus]

Try reading the article before you get outraged. This has nothing to do with dollars to pounds; in fact dollars aren't mentioned even once.

Microsoft points were roughly designed so that 100MSP = $1.

So if 100MSP = $1, and 100MSP = £1 then by Microsoft logic $1 = £1.

Which is true only if games carry the exact same MP cost in both countrys.