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Print 11 comment(s) - last by wallijonn.. on Jan 25 at 11:56 AM
Microsoft developers will have to prepare for upcoming changes

Microsoft is reportedly planning on ditching its virtual currency system, Microsoft Points, over the coming year.

Microsoft Points are the currency currently used for PC, Windows Phone, the Xbox Live Marketplace, Games for Windows Live Marketplace, Zune Online Store, and Windows Live Gallery. The points are used to purchase content without a credit card with the intention of decreasing small credit card transaction fees for Microsoft.

Now, Microsoft will work throughout 2012 to phase out the use of Microsoft Points and transition to real money instead. Microsoft hasn't made the official announcement yet, and refused to comment on the rumor.


However, Windows Phone, Xbox Live and Zune Marketplace developers with Microsoft publishing agreements are being warned to work with the upcoming change. They will have to create new plans for their latest downloadable content and in-app purchases.

The move isn't all that surprising, considering Microsoft has been sneaking cash purchases into Xbox Live. The elimination of Microsoft Points will likely appeal to customers who will no longer have to worry about Points-to-cash conversions.

Microsoft took a big hit last March when scammers found a way to generate new Microsoft Points out of old point codes. Microsoft was scammed out of $1.2 million and was forced to pull the plug on the site.

 

Source: Video Gamer


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but they still won't get my CC number
By Rage187 on 1/24/2012 1:10:05 PM , Rating: 3
As long as they still provide a way for me to purchase gift cards and the like. No way in hell am I tying a CC number to my XBL account.




RE: but they still won't get my CC number
By cknobman on 1/24/2012 1:20:38 PM , Rating: 2
Agreed. At the very least they better work out something with Paypal.

If they require me to give them a CC number then they can kiss my business goodbye, permanently.


RE: but they still won't get my CC number
By borismkv on 1/24/2012 1:59:50 PM , Rating: 2
They already have worked something out with Paypal. You can tie a Paypal account to your live account for purchases.


RE: but they still won't get my CC number
By idiot77 on 1/24/2012 6:23:49 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah because PayPal has been so much safer. /rolleyes


By FaaR on 1/24/2012 8:52:15 PM , Rating: 2
If you only stuff as much money into the PP account as you need to complete the current transaction you'll be completely safe. Or utilize single-use CC codes; many banks offer such a service. That way, once the transaction is performed the code stops working and you can't be scammed.


By Flunk on 1/24/2012 2:13:54 PM , Rating: 2
I can't imagine they won't continue to offer gift cards (just in monetary values now). How else are 8 year olds going to buy things on Xbox live (assuming Mommy and Daddy are not idiots)?


About time
By masamasa on 1/24/2012 11:20:06 AM , Rating: 5
It was a ridiculous system to begin with.




RE: About time
By Varun on 1/24/2012 12:04:47 PM , Rating: 3
Agreed - it was always super annoying. Being from Canada, it was even worse, because our points cost us more per point, so regardless of currency fluctuations, we would always have to pay more with points that the product was worth.

If I buy music from Zune, I buy it off my Windows Phone, because it will sell it to me in dollars. Often times the dollar value on the phone would be less than the "points" value on the PC Zune software.


RE: About time
By ClownPuncher on 1/24/2012 12:28:49 PM , Rating: 2
Now, Bioware needs to ditch their point system. It effing sucks.


Good riddance
By Netscorer on 1/24/2012 12:59:51 PM , Rating: 2
Never liked points. Especially the artificial definition of point value by Microsoft which tended to make purchases seem cheaper then they really were.
On the other hand, many, myself included, used the system to our advantage by double-dipping: first buying the codes at discount to their face value and then using game sales to get content for really cheap price. And Microsoft was constantly running multiple marketing campaigns where points were rewarded as the result. This would not be possible with real currency.

I just hope MS gives sufficient time to many people who accumulated quite a few points to still use them or convert into new credit.




MS points
By wallijonn on 1/25/2012 11:56:19 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Microsoft took a big hit last March when scammers found a way to generate new Microsoft Points out of old point codes. Microsoft was scammed out of $1.2 million and was forced to pull the plug on the site.


If the hackers cracked MS' point system what makes MS confident that they won't repeat Sony's fiasco? If they are confident that they can secure CC holder's info then why weren't they able to prevent the crackers from getting $1.2MM?

What if PayPal charges $4.95 per transaction (fee charges & interest charges), would you still be willing to charge your PP account?

Just as you'd be crazy to tie a CC to the MS XBL account, you'd be just as crazy to tie your PP account to your savings account. It would probably be best to open a savings account in a different bank (least you'd still be liable for stolen funds from your checking and savings accounts).

No, the MS system was good - it just had different prices for different games and services the cards could only be bought in set denominations, so the user would end up with odd points.

All MS will be doing is shifting the loss from their company to the end user. IMO.




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