MS changes Xbox Live Points system

By GamesIndustry International Published 12 April, 2010

But only in the US, so far.

Microsoft has changed the options for Microsoft Points in the US, allowing users to purchase the currency in increments of 400, 800 and 1200.

Those are the typical prices for Xbox Live games, so the change means no more left over blocks of small, unused amounts - for example, after buying 500 Points to purchase a 400 Point game.

Earlier this year, the company said that it was trying to be more transparent with its online currency, claiming the Points system was never designed to mislead.

European prices for Microsoft Points remain unchanged at the moment, but we'll keep you posted.

Picture of GamesIndustry.

About GamesIndustry International

GamesIndustry International is the world's leading games industry website, incorporating GamesIndustry.biz and IndustryGamers.com.

Read more articles from GamesIndustry by visiting the GamesIndustry International archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (28) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Skurmedel #1 2 years ago

    Wow... now let me cancel my gold account without having to phone you and I'll sign up again! :)

  • Retroid #2 2 years ago

    Not holding my breath here.

    They've not brought the points transfer / 'gifting' feature either, I would've loved to have used that to gift a few spare points to friends short of the price of some DLC or an XBLA game. Granted, that's probably more to do with 'banking' regulations outside the US seeing as points are currency / credit, but it's a pain that only the Yanks can do that.

  • Xerx3s #3 2 years ago

    "Wow... now let me cancel my gold account without having to phone you and I'll sign up again! :) "

    You've been able to do that for some time now.

  • andywilkie35 #4 2 years ago

    Makes no difference to me, if I'm buying an 800 point game I'll usually whack 2000 points on there so I have some left over in case I want to buy something else on a different day.

  • carrotcake #5 2 years ago

    How xerx? Can't cancel through dashboard or website unless I missed a hidden option

  • optimusprym8 #6 2 years ago

    Just let us gift points / XBLA games to ppl! C'mon!

  • LiveForever #7 2 years ago

    Ebay is the only place to buy points.
    Currency is equal.
    Edited by LiveForever at 12/04/10 @ 09:47

  • Der_tolle_Emil #8 2 years ago

    How xerx? Can't cancel through dashboard or website unless I missed a hidden option

    You can on the xbox.com homepage. I don't know where exactly but I think it is where you enter your billing information. There is an option where you can disable the auto renewal.

  • Fab4 #9 2 years ago

    And yet they still cant make a simple process to switch your country of origin.

    Edit: And before anyone goes off on one, I am talking about this issue:

    http://forums.xbox.com/1/3863862/ShowPos...
    Edited by Fab4 at 12/04/10 @ 10:02

  • Skurmedel #10 2 years ago

    Xerx3s: Not where I live you can't. I have had to do it twice, and on top of it they ask me all kinds of strange questions why I want to cancel it. "Because it's my fucking account and I pay for it that's why". Decided it's not worth the hassle until I can cancel it anytime I want.

    Edit: Maybe you can now on XBox.com but I kind of expect you to be able to that from within the XBox.
    Edited by Skurmedel at 12/04/10 @ 10:07

  • Retroid #11 2 years ago

    When it comes to account management for XBL, there's the US (and Canada), then..... the rest of the world. Which is where there be monsters.

  • captainrentboy #12 2 years ago

    Yeah, I cancelled my credit card Live subscription charge through Xbox.com back in January, it's fairly easy once you've got through 'Are you sure?' ...'Are you really reaaaaally sure you want to leave Live'.... 'Awwww please stay with us!' tabs. Although I will be crawling back come May 3rd :)

  • mrcrumley #13 2 years ago

    i was playing online the other day, and a message/window popped up saying my subscription runs out on may 1st and would i like to auto-renew. I don't think it used to do this.

  • tachometer #14 2 years ago

    I don't know why you would sign up to Live with a credit card when you can get a 12 month pre-paid card for £28 online usually with the code emailled straight to you.

  • Vergis69 #15 2 years ago

    Common sense at last... awesome

  • Paulie_P #16 2 years ago

    Good idea - hopefully they bring it over here.

  • Murton #17 2 years ago

    This was already possible through the Zune store where you can buy points in increments as low as 100 if you so wished, again only in the US mind.

    Traditionally MS (and Sony too) seriously drag their heels over bringing functionality available in the US over to Europe, so I wouldn't hold my breath for this one, I get the feeling it's going to be a long wait.

  • kinky_mong #18 2 years ago

    I would like to see this implimented in Eurpoe. That is all.

  • septimus #19 2 years ago

    Just charge in local currency... jeez.

  • paulf #20 2 years ago

    'claiming the Points system was never designed to mislead. ' - no but it was designed to 'maximise profits', while they are at it you should get a discount for buying larger amounts of points as well

  • Vaile23 #21 2 years ago

    does this mean they'll now charge £4.25 for 400 points instead of 500?

    cheeky, if so.

  • Toothball #22 2 years ago

    I never really minded paying for the current increments. Eventually the change adds up to something more substantial anyway, and I've no shortage of Rock Band track to pick up.

  • rudedudejude #23 2 years ago

    Wow, that country change problem really does suck.

    You'd think Microsoft, the software kings of the new age with all their fancy Windows 7 could code a fukkin system to be able to change country of origin.

  • Spliffy_Shootz #24 2 years ago

    Change it here aswell ye fook faces!!!

  • Alivada #25 2 years ago

    It's taken way to long for this to happen, however it's better late than never.

  • devilmyarse #26 2 years ago

    I don't know why you would sign up to Live with a credit card when you can get a 12 month pre-paid card for £28 online usually with the code emailled straight to you.

    [link url=http://cheapxboxlivecodes.com/xbox-live-gold-subscription-codes/cheap-12-month-xbox-live-gold-membership-subscription/
    ]http://cheapxboxlivecodes.com/xbox-live-...[/link]

    Even cheaper from there. Bought 3 codes from there so far for me and my fiancée's Xbox Live accounts, works perfectly.
    Edited by devilmyarse at 12/04/10 @ 14:42

  • giant_frying_pan #27 2 years ago

    Why would anyone in their right mind want them to change to real currency transactions? You can get cheap points, but not cheap money!

  • Dr.Frappers #28 2 years ago

    Just for the record on the turning of the renewal via xbox.com (in case it helps anyone).....unless i'm being a 'tard and missing something, the turn off renewal thing has been removed.

    Fortnight ago i wanted to turn off my renewal this way so when my gold is time for renewal in May this year - want to get it cheaper. Found on xbox.com / my account / membership level - there's no clickety-click option on the renewal on/off anymore....so I had to phone them up again!

    Shame on Microsoft for making it needlessly problematic, ok it's not the end of the world but it's still not great customer service.

    @ Retroid - Steam do their "gift of game" thing where you can buy other Steam members games when you're logged in - wouldn't that be a superb little feature for Xbox Live....