Microsoft Explains Microsoft Point Bundles
By Chris on Saturday, December 8th, 2007 at 1:21 AM PST In Game Companies, Game Consoles, Game Platforms, Gamer Life, Microsoft, Microsoft
Everyone hates Microsoft Points; I think that’s pretty much an established fact. I mean, who really wants to be forced into buying a certain number of points so that you can buy something that costs less, and then be left with points you might never use again? And it doesn’t help that it’s difficult to figure out just how much things cost in ACTUAL money.
Knowing this, 1UP spoke with Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg who gave an explanation behind Microsoft Points, even if it isn’t a particularly satisfying one.
“The reason why we do that, the core reason, is around credit card transaction fees,” said Greenberg. “If we do this in bulk, we don’t have to burden the consumer with the transaction fees, or ourselves or publishers. It’s about keeping infrastructure costs down and I know sometimes it’s frustrating because you end up with odd points, but we don’t have any plans to change that.”
So they’re basically saying that we can’t buy the exact amount of points we want because they don’t want to burden us? So I have 100 extra M$ points that I can’t use on anything I want, and they say I have to buy 1600 or more to get anything out of those 100? Unfair.
This is total bullshit. They do this to get peoples money sitting in Microsoft’s bank account as soon as possible and as erathoniel says the inflexible nature of the points system creates a situation where you get left with points that you either never use or it encourages you to buy more so you can use them.
I think the system Sony currently have in Asia is the best one where you can pay with a credit card but if you don’t have one you can opt to use PlayStation Network Card points instead. Strangely I’ve never heard any mention of customers or publishers being burdened with credit card transaction fees on PlayStation Store.
Actually it is a totally understandable marketing idea – Nintendo is doing the same thing with the Wii points – though they are making an effort to find pricepoints that let players spend all their cash. MS knows that if you have 40 points left or 100 points that you are more likely to buy more to use them up at some future time.
Yeah but also, are people really convinced that they wont use the points ever in the future? Honestly you will end up using them in the future most likely; its merely an inconvenience at this point.
Shawn Sines said: “Actually it is a totally understandable marketing idea”
What do you mean ‘actually’? No one disagrees with that. Its obviously a good marketing idea. It isn’t the best method for the customers though like Microsoft are trying to con people into believing.
i have to say get over it, the points are great, the ways to buy points is convienent. how simple does it need to be?
-buy online with credit card or buy points at a store.
anyone with left over points will surely find a new game, map pack or other way to spend points. left over points will always be there and go buy more if u need them.
I can say the points system is not a con or scam to buy more points. having different costs on downloadble content is unavoidable. its a great system, not every one has a credit card. the point system is great and not gonna change.