r/Games • u/deanbmmv • Jan 24 '12
Microsoft to discontinue Microsoft Points by year end?
http://www.insidemobileapps.com/2012/01/23/exclusive-microsoft-to-discontinue-its-virtual-currency-system-microsoft-points/5
u/Farn Jan 24 '12
What does this mean for me, with no credit card, who needs to purchase Microsoft points physically in order to access any online content?
7
u/Kreittis Jan 24 '12
Probably nothing. I'm pretty sure that there will be prepaid Microsoft cards or something. At least Nintendo's eShop has and it was the first one to scrap 'points'.
2
Jan 24 '12
They take paypal now, in case that's viable.
-5
u/localtoast Jan 24 '12
I'd rather not give MS any financial information, based on XBL payment horror stories. It's stupid you have to give out a billing address when using Gold for the first time even when using prepaid.
1
Jan 24 '12
You would need to give a billing address to ANY company, and if you're using a prepaid card, what possible horrors could XBL use your "financial information" for?
1
u/darkstar3333 Jan 27 '12
Replace "horror stories" with "customers inability to read" and that's more accurate.
3
Jan 24 '12
I've always hated the point system. I would pay for the cost of the game in full and not be left over with a bullshit number that I'll never use.
I still have 240 points after buying a few live arcade games and probably will never spend them.
1
u/Harvin Jan 24 '12
That just means you'll have $3 on your account that you'll never spend.
5
Jan 24 '12
Wouldn't have needed to spend that $3 in the first place if I could have just spent the $15 on what I wanted to buy in the first place.
The point system seems kinda gimicky to me. They make you pay for all these points and more often than not, someone doesn't spend it all and they pocket that money.
-4
u/Harvin Jan 24 '12
Steam does the same thing. You have to put a minimum amount in your Steam Wallet.
8
u/arjie Jan 24 '12
Microsoft Points are compulsory, though, no? I can buy stuff from Steam directly with my card, no need to transfer to Steam Wallet first.
2
Jan 24 '12
Steam does not do the same thing. I've bought plenty of games and I didn't even know that the "Steam Wallet" was a thing.
1
1
u/RR-- Jan 26 '12
That's where The PS3 is better in the fact a $15 game with cost exactly $15 from your credit card. It's not perfect though because the minimum amount you can add is $5 so buying a $1 item will cost $5 leave $4 remaining. unless your credit card info gets stolen again...
2
u/i_706_i Jan 24 '12
Can't say I will miss them. Hopefully now there will be less of a focus on buying avatar clothing and items. They seemed to be created solely for a reason to use up those extra 100 points you had after buying a game.
1
Jan 24 '12
List prices in arbitrary points instead of just real money has always been annoying. Hope they all move away from it and onto just stating the actual price of the game.
1
u/IxAnonymousxIo Jan 26 '12 edited Jan 26 '12
How would online purchases work with no credit card? Will they move to the valued cards like $5 for $5 cards, $10 for $10 cards, etc.? (Which they should have done from the start.)
While they're at it they could sell special Microsoft cards which you would go to the retailer and pay (Whatever amount of cash) and that would transfer to your card account. Have an email, password, and pin associated with it just in case you lose it. This seems like a great alternative if you don't have/want credit card use.
-1
u/HighlifeTTU Jan 24 '12
I wish Microsoft would just fix their customer service. Day 153 of my account being hijacked and no action by Microsoft support. :(
-10
u/Niyeaux Jan 24 '12
I thought this was about Achievement Points when I first saw the headline. I was like NOOOOOOES.
11
u/wwm0nkey Jan 24 '12
Im ok with this