Microsoft points phased out in favor of cash in Windows 8

[Blacksite]

Microsoft has started to remove its Points payments system as the default way to pay for music downloads and movie rentals or purchases in Windows 8. The recent change affects the way Windows 8 users will pay for digital content in the operating system. Previously, in Windows 8 betas, Microsoft used its Points system for all Video purchases and rentals.

The controversial currency for Xbox Live and the Zune Marketplace has been widely used across the Xbox 360 to purchase Xbox Live Arcade games, gamertag pictures, and other downloadable content. The system means users have to purchase bundles of points that equate to 80 Microsoft Points for every $1. In our own testing in the final copy of Windows 8, we are now able to pay for music or purchase and rent movies in the Xbox Video store by using a credit card. You're still able to use Microsoft Points, but the store defaults to credit card transactions. A welcome change from the confusion of having to convert Microsoft Points to currency in order to assess the true cost of a rental or purchase.

We have reached out to Microsoft for comment on the change and we'll update you accordingly. Xbox 360 consoles appear to still be using the Microsoft Points system for now, but the change on the Windows 8 side will likely make its way to the Xbox with a dashboard update due later this month.

via The Verge.

[*goo]

About time they thought about dropping their 'currency' in favour of real money. It was needless.

[Soldier 95B]

I "get" the reasons why they did it....so that a product in the US that cost 800 ms points would also cost 800 ms points in say Europe. But that was more for ease of advertising and simplicity for them. I would rather have the amount in currency as well.

[radgamer420]

I hate the point system. Just a rip off scam by MS so that you have to buy more points than you actually need in order to purchase the item that youre buying.

[MjW]

Seriously this point system just refuses to die. I think pretty much everybody hates it, except MS.

[radgamer420]

Looks like the point system is staying on 360. http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/9/34...crosoft-points

[mynd]

ROFL, The Verge are the only ones who gave Fora Horizon 6/10.
I don't think any should believe a word they say frankly.

[Blacksite]

ROFL, The Verge are the only ones who gave Fora Horizon 6/10.
I don't think any should believe a word they say frankly.

You're not going to read any Microsoft-related news from the site because their score for Forza Horizon didn't please you? I'll keep that in mind.

[sainraja]

ROFL, The Verge are the only ones who gave Fora Horizon 6/10.
I don't think any should believe a word they say frankly.

You do realize they are talking about the points system that was being used for Windows 8? which is what is being phased out?

Microsoft has started to remove its Points payments system as the default way to pay for music downloads and movie rentals or purchases in Windows 8.

The article does not talk about the points system for X360 being phased out......although we can speculate that it might follow suit.

[mynd]

You're not going to read any Microsoft-related news from the site because their score for Forza Horizon didn't please you? I'll keep that in mind.

If people can do it for legitimate gaming sites like IGN, I think Im allowed my prejudce against a bunch of Amatuer reviewers, yes.

Given their review score stands out like a sore thumb.

Plenty of other sources.

[admartian]

If people can do it for legitimate gaming sites like IGN, I think Im allowed my prejudce against a bunch of Amatuer reviewers, yes.
Plenty of other sources.

lol IGN are only more "legitimate" due to their advertisers and hits - which we all know isn't the end all of determining quality.

[mynd]

lol IGN are only more "legitimate" due to their advertisers and hits - which we all know isn't the end all of determining quality.

The profesisonally review games, all games. Not a few hand picked titles.
Sites like polygon, simply review the odd big title. Which means their scale isnt even remotly indicitive.

Is RE6 really a 4.5/10 game? I hadnt read anywhere else it was that bad.
That would indicate almost unplayable.

[admartian]

The profesisonally review games, all games. Not a few hand picked titles.
Sites like polygon, simply review the odd big title. Which means their scale isnt even remotly indicitive.

Is RE6 really a 4.5/10 game? I hadnt read anywhere else it was that bad.
That would indicate almost unplayable.

Not saying either way as I don't have an opinion on the game. Simply saying the most popular isn't always the best. They may only review handpicked games because that is all that they are sent or could afford to review.

Just saying.

[mynd]

Not saying either way as I don't have an opinion on the game. Simply saying the most popular isn't always the best. They may only review handpicked games because that is all that they are sent or could afford to review.

Just saying.

Oh I dont belive IGN as gosepel either, but between IGN, Gametrailers etc, I can get a good feel for a game, and you generally get the same feed back from the, ie things that ar ebad or annoying about games most reviews will discuss in the same way. At the end of the day, number dont mean a whole hell of a lot ot me 9's as good as an 8 in my book generally, but to give a game, which I have perosnally played the demo for, and loved, read review on every other site and generally got a "quality title" vibe from, then to see them put a 6/10 on it?

[admartian]

Oh I dont belive IGN as gosepel either, but between IGN, Gametrailers etc, I can get a good feel for a game, and you generally get the same feed back from the, ie things that ar ebad or annoying about games most reviews will discuss in the same way. At the end of the day, number dont mean a whole hell of a lot ot me 9's as good as an 8 in my book generally, but to give a game, which I have perosnally played the demo for, and loved, read review on every other site and generally got a "quality title" vibe from, then to see them put a 6/10 on it?

Fair enough.

But a 2 or even a 9 score shouldn't really affect how you already feel about the game. Though it may raise your eyebrows.

[Blacksite]

I've only ever known Edge to give out low scores. With IGN, I just feel like they post a controversial article to garner more hits and they're used to it. I never really paid attention to their reviews.

This is getting off-topic though. Sorry.

[mynd]

I've only ever known Edge to give out low scores. With IGN, I just feel like they post a controversial article to garner more hits and they're used to it. I never really paid attention to their reviews.

This is getting off-topic though. Sorry.

Yeah Edge are consitent in their scoring though, you can take that.
I just feel when you limit your reviwing to big games, your not really getting the big picture.
If you like, I think Polygon review games out of 10, but compared to other sites, they are really reviewing games on a 1-10 which would sit probably somehwere betwen 6-10 on a normal scale, if that makes sense.

But yeah weve strayed.

[MATRIX 2]

All about Gametrailers and Eurogamer.