Microsofts Points Not for Win 8, but Will Remain on Xbox 360

News
By
published

Hopefully, Microsoft Points are phased out in the near future...

Back in January of this year, we reported that Microsoft may be ditching Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 in favor of real world currency by the end of 2012.

Recently, The Verge reported that the latest Xbox dashboard update allowed users to use Microsoft Points, but defaulted to real world currency, an indication that Microsoft Points may be phased out from the platform. The beta is expected to be implemented sometime later this October.

It appears that Microsoft Points won't be available on Windows 8, but WILL remain on the 360. Microsoft released the following statement in regards to the issue: "Microsoft Points continue to be the currency for purchasing content for the Xbox 360 console." However, the statcompany was silent as to whether or not Microsoft Points would be phased out for the future.

Considering that Microsoft Points do little to benefit Xbox users, as they're confusing, unnecessary, and burdensome because they force users to buy them in increments of five dollars, phasing out the points currency system seems a favorable thing for the company to do.

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback

Catherine Cai
12 Comments Comment from the forums
  • mobrocket
    Considering that Microsoft Points do little to benefit Xbox users, as they're confusing, unnecessary, and burdensome because they force users to buy them in increments of five dollars, phasing out the points currency system seems a favorable thing for the company to do.

    I thought that was the whole purpose of MSFT points
    Reply
  • john_4
    The title is wrong and should read, "Microsofts Points Not for Win 8, for now' but Will Remain on Xbox 360 for the time being."
    Reply
  • rebel1280
    .... Sorry Cat, I don't agree with you on this one. I and presumably MANY other people used them last night for the Mechromancer pack for Borderlands 2 and for the season pass. I use them and quite often. Also, i like the fact that i can purchase points and use a card that is in no way attached to my bank account forgoing a potential Sony fiasco.
    Reply
  • lupinesithlord
    as someone who refuses to link a credit card to the 360, or phone. I would prefer to see the point system expanded. There are families who get in financial issues because little johnny or suzie bought something on xbl using their parents linked credit card. as most kids dont have their own credit cards the ms points system adds value to the xbox ecology.
    Reply
  • headscratcher
    I also like being able to just pick up these cards at the grocery store, rent movies or play games and my debit card number stays out of it.
    Reply
  • DRosencraft
    There's a much simpler way to do purchases on the Xbox store than the ridiculous points system. Those same cards you buy at the store can just as easily be like any other store's gift cards - i.e. with actual dollars on them, not a points system. As for the complaints about what happened with Sony, you run the same risk buying anything online with any store - or are you saying you never buy anything online ever? Sony just had the unfortunate luck of being directly targeted by a determined group of criminals. The fact that the Xbox app on the PC will use money and not points shows that there really isn't a significant security aspect to this decision.
    Reply
  • booyaah
    Well DR, you are correct on converting the points cards to money cards, but wrong on the Sony thing. I saw the irc chat, Sony had no absolutely no security measures or encryption protocols. It was a door waiting to be opened sooner or later. They were picked because of this as they were a much easier target to compromise than XBox's platform.

    Remember LulzSec even stated that they were trying to make IT corporations 'aware' of their infrastructure vulnerabilities.
    Reply
  • headscratcher
    @DRosencraft Good point on the money equivalent. I also do this with itunes cards for my daughter so that the itunes guys don't get my debit card number. I guess paypal could work too. Just don't want them having my card number and then automatically enrolling me in this or that or having my daughter "accidentally" buying $100 worth of music and videos on my card.
    Reply
  • bison88
    They couldn't have specified this nearly six months ago when they announced they were ridding the points system by the end of the year? I was finally happy that I wasn't going to have to be forced buying more points than I need causing a DLC to ultimately cost 25-50% more and always be stuck with the remainder points that just tease me.

    Probably the stupidest thing about the entire X-Box platform.
    Reply
  • spat55
    lupinesithlordas someone who refuses to link a credit card to the 360, or phone. I would prefer to see the point system expanded. There are families who get in financial issues because little johnny or suzie bought something on xbl using their parents linked credit card. as most kids dont have their own credit cards the ms points system adds value to the xbox ecology.
    Well then, the easy option around this is to tell your kid never to buy anything without telling you, or tell you straight after what he/she has brought, if they can't tell you and disrespect your trust then don't leave your details, delete them, and don't let them use them or put them in everytime you want to use the store. your welcome :)
    Reply