Microsoft announced a while back they’d finally be doing away with Microsoft Points, a service that many critics and gamers alike have touted as being an unnecessary extra step between them and the games they wish to purchase. Now, with the new Xbox Dashboard Beta rolling out to a lucky few out of those who signed up, folks are realizing that prices have seen increases of up to 30% while making the transition to real money. Particularly those in the U.K. have noticed the following price hikes (courtesy of NeoGAF):
- Content originally priced at 400 Microsoft Points (£3.40) now costs £4.49
- Content originally priced at 800 Microsoft Points (£6.80) now costs £8.99
- Content originally priced at 1,200 Microsoft Points (£10.40) now costs £11.99
- Content originally priced at 1,600 Microsoft Points (£13.60) now costs £14.99
Microsoft has yet to comment about the rise in price, and Beta testers have been quick to point out that remaining point balances prior to switching over do not account for this price hike; making previously-purchased point values worth even less. The Xbox Live update launches for everyone sometime in the Fall later this year.
Unfortunately, these price hikes are potentially outside of Microsoft’s control. While it’s easy to say the values should just directly transfer, it’s worth noting what exactly is happening here. Microsoft Points were a standardized value set by Microsoft themselves, whereas using real money is subject to conversion and the suggested retail value per country. Basically, this means different regions can now potentially have different prices for each product. Maybe Microsoft Points weren’t really all that bad after all, eh? Time will tell how this situation plays out, especially as we get closer to the Dashboard update’s official release.
Did you folks have any issues with the current Microsoft Points model in place? Are you surprised to hear that prices can now be affected by switching over to real-money values? Which method would you prefer? Share your thoughts in the usual place, and don’t forget to like IGXPro on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or give us the ‘ol +1 on Google+. If you can’t get enough of my shenanigans, (who could blame you?) you can check me out @GamingsNirvana, or add +VinnyParisi to your circles.
