NinjaDeathSlap said:
What if, for the next console generation, Microsoft got rid of MS points and let us use Gamerscore as currency?
The problems I have with the current system are twofold:
- I think that it is unfair that we should have to pay for downloads AND for a full Xbox Live membership, when on the PS3 you only have to pay for downloads.
Sony skimped on their security front to make up the loss of offering free online service. Not to mention that the service isn't as fluid as Xbox Live. You get what you pay for.
- Although it is satisfying to get achievements, the Gamerscore that comes with them doesn't really serve any useful purpose.
It serves enough of a purpose in enough players eyes for it to have spawned a metagame, and to provoke copycats in almost every gaming installation. Sony, Apple and Newgrounds are the immediate ones to come through.
Don't forget, Gamerscore is merely a universal high score table or a percentage complete list within a game. The bragging ability, nay just the badge of honour is more than enough for most. In my case, it gives me something further to do past the standard - therefore providing more value for my cash.
Whereas I think using my idea (at least I hope it's my idea and nobody's already thought of it) would have three significant benefits.
You are never the only one, and certainly not by a long short in this idea.
- The system would be fairer because we would only have to fork out money for one thing, just like the PS3.
You don't
have to fork out for anything. Like any service, you opt in and therefore pay the entry fee. Sky or Virgin don't give you free subscriptions for watching certain of television.
Also you're forgetting that there's a greater downpayment for Sony's service - and that they've begun rolling out their PS+. Come PS4, they'll charge you just the same; they learnt a hard lesson this time round.
- Getting achievement would be even more rewarding if the Gamerscore had a useful purpose, and gamers would be more inclined to try for the more obscure/harder/more interesting achievement that usually come with the biggest payouts.
Once you've bought the game, Microsoft nor the developers nor the publishers care about what you think about it - or if they do for future customer retention; I'm sure your opinion on numbers is the least of their concerns. If you are inclined to achievement hunt in the first instance you always will, and if you weren't then you never will. Insignificant rewards will not change this mindset of someone.
Also remember - there will be a lot of cross publisher friction - in that in theory an individual could only purchase BioWare products and use attained Gamerscore to purchase Rockstar items; never giving them a dime.
- Despite not making money through MS points anymore I think it would actually earn a bigger profit for Microsoft and the entire industry. The fairer system would persuade more gamers to buy Xbox's which helps Microsoft, and the idea of using Gamerscore earned from achievements to buy DLC will encourage gamers to buy more Xbox games to get their Gamerscore. This not only helps Microsoft, but the Dev's, Publishers, and Game Retailers too.
I'd like to know where your experience outweighs that of entire legions of marketing strategists. You seem to forget that your idea is circular, and that people will not only get free games/DLC by completing other free games/DLC claimed by the programme, but also that the entire retail market will collapse in on itself because people will no longer have a reason to purchase instead of visiting Blockbusters or becoming patrons of Lovefilm/Gamefly.
Bar simple ownership desires of course - but these people would not hold the market afloat, as proven by the growing popularity of digital ownership.
So That's my manifesto. Discussion value: Can this idea work? If so do you have anything of your own to add and would you be prepared to support this idea if it were presented to Microsoft? If this idea wouldn't work for some reason, can you please explain so I can correct/alter it.
Categorically no. What would be more sensible is a prize draw system similar to what many mobile operators do with pay as you go contracts, to encourage people to spend more money on phone credit than they need.
What I mean by this, is that O2 offer a silver and gold prize programme dependent on how much you top up each month. This can easily be replicated by having gamerscore related gateways. The more gamerscore you earn in a month, the better prize window you enter.
Your idea is just not practical and manifests itself from what appears to be a sense of entitlement.
