Microsoft points, Moon Dollars, Banana Dollars, Orphan Tears,  Dicklish Globules. Whatever you've called them, they've been the much maligned currency we've been forced to use when buying Microsoft goods over XBLA.  Noone likes them, but we've all resigned ourself to the fact that they would be in our life forever. Like floss, or Rosie Perez.

Well now rumors are beginning to surface that Microsoft may be doing away with the fantasy bucks for good and moving to real-world currency in their stead.  Inside Mobile Apps is reporting on a source within Microsoft stating that we'll see this change by the end of the year, and this would span all of Microsoft's subsidiary offerings such as Windows Phone and Zune Marketplace.

The change is not unexpected to those with a good sense for these things (e.g. me!). XBLA's Games on Demand service has moved to Earth Money for awhile now , and if Microsoft is looking to achieve complete integration with of all its devices -something we'll surely see once a new console hits- then they'll need to use a monetary system that not only bridges all those devices, but will also be accepted by the users of those devices.

Us gamers have been somewhat lackadaisical in terms of what we accept. Strange Kraken Bucks that leave you with leftover points which you will never spend? Sure! An online pass which makes you do extra legwork, or pay extra for a used product you already paid full sticker price for? Why not! But the world outside of gamer-dom is much different. It's filled with soccer moms and Home Depot dads who aren't used to shelling out $2.50 for a gun skin. These people won't be so accepting, and so it makes sense for Microsoft to be moving away from this particular model.

Of course, Microsoft is not commenting on this rumor because, if they do, the Gelflings will not succeed in their quest to repair the Dark Crystal and find One-Eyed Willies treasure.  Well, I can't say I blame them.  We wouldn't want that to happen.

Comments

  • Avatar
    lemith
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Yay! Thanks for the article!

  • Avatar
    Mroblivion
    12 years, 2 months ago

    wait...why the dark crystal pic?

  • Avatar
    SonicKitsune
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Too bad, I was using the conversion between points and real money as a mental exercise.

    Seriously, I'm not really concerned either way as long as we keep the current balance and people in other regions don't get shafted by the change. Hell, they already have those Games On Demand things listed with real money, and it'd make more sense if everything showed as the same currency.

  • Avatar
    Kevin Schnaubelt
    12 years, 2 months ago

    how will 12 year olds make money off of offering boosting lobbys in call of duty now?

  • Avatar
    J52
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Good. I always thought hiding the actual value behind "points" was kinda sleazy.

  • Avatar
    ShilohDeGreat
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Next article, Joseph uses Tim Curry's character in Legend.

    That would be badass.

  • Avatar
    Contla
    12 years, 2 months ago

    This is going to screw me up, since pesos are kind of shit.

  • Avatar
    Nos Drawyaw
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Now the question is will there still be microsoft cards cause if not then they just lost 75% of there audiance

  • Avatar
    Kickagnome
    12 years, 2 months ago

    It's about god damn time.

  • Avatar
    VagrantHige
    12 years, 2 months ago

    It's about time. Don't know who came up with the $1 = 80 pts scheme in the first place. The more I think about it though it was a brilliant ploy in terms of marketing since people will be more likely to spend points when they aren't seeing an actual price in terms of dollars.

  • Avatar
    fallouttalove3
    12 years, 2 months ago

    i love that i could tell this was Joseph's article after the first half of the first sentence.

  • Avatar
    JTC545
    12 years, 2 months ago

    So.....will we be able to convert points already on our account to moneh?

  • Avatar
    Syko Shadow
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Even though this is objectively a good thing, I personally will be missing Microsoft's fun-money. For one, there's the retail discounts one can get on the MSP cards, which will be gone as retailers don't allow discounts on real money. I always liked the idea of essentially getting small amounts of free money with my employee discount. Since I refuse to tie my bank account to Xbox LIVE for a number of reasons, I only use the retail cards, so I won't be affected by the benefits of this currency change. I'm happy for everyone else, but I'm boned lol.

    Besides, there's nothing to suggest Microsoft won't continue to dick us around by forcing us to charge only preset amounts of money to our account. If they do, then the system will remain the same as it is now, the only difference being people will no longer need to do the math in their heads to figure out how much money 1280 MSP's are. A little math every now and then is good for you, dammit!

  • Avatar
    Ikusa GT
    12 years, 2 months ago

    And the crowd goes wild!

  • Avatar
    LauKungPow
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Finally

  • Avatar
    xaviar5829
    12 years, 2 months ago

    The things i could say about microsoft i swear. i do not like this idea at all first i heard they are getting rid of them now this? i personally like microsoft points in a way the discounts were fun but could they atleast lower the prices by a little?

  • Avatar
    Aged Milk
    12 years, 2 months ago

    I would pay to see Bill Gates perform the truffle shuffle.

  • Avatar
    Jetta Aziz
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I practically trust you

  • Avatar
    Roni Napihaa
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I am continually searching on line pertaining to content material that may help me. Thanks !

  • Spirewrecker Avatar
    Spirewrecker
    10 years, 10 months ago

    I disagree with the fact that soccer moms aren't used to shelling out money for imaginary stuff (regardless of scale, assuming it's not worth a fridge). They've been doing so for years on end with casual/FB games when their kids beg them for money to keep their virtual pet alive. This is just another thing to buy for their kids - and easier to recognize too, with that dollar sign.

    Relevant and interesting lecture: http://www.ted.com/talks/jesse_schell_when_games_invade_real_life.html