Real money prices on Xbox Live "an error", says Microsoft

Microsoft has confirmed it isn't changing the way people pay for content on Xbox Live.

The company, which currently utilises Microsoft Points for any purchase, has indicated the real prices that appeared recently were a mistake.

[ChunkyLover53]

Everyone makes mistakes, move along.

[Crazyglues]

Since we are talking about points, Any kind of fake currency is always used as a means to confuse people into spending more money than they would be willing to.

I don't like the idea of points just because I just want the real price.

-but It's a pretty clever move on microsoft's part, it's been pretty successful at getting sales, or encouraging sales because you don't think of the points in the terms of spending actual cash on something..

-you just tend to just think, how much points do I need to get this. So I'm sure this was just a glitch in the matrix... so to speak.

[Robochobo]

How is it confusing since anytime you buy Microsoft points your told how much that total of points cost? If 4000 MS costs $50 then you know 800 MS points cost $10 it's simple math. When you spend those points your shown A) How many points you'll have left later, and B) You can even change the payment type to see how much money it would cost in real currency. Besides it's mostly used for those who are unable to pay for add-ons /DLC because the don't own PayPal/Credit Card.

[TheColbertinator]

Except MS sells in packs,not proper payment such as PSN or Steam.

[G20WLY]

Fair enough. But it begs the question, doesn't it: why bother with a points system in the first place instead of just stating real money cost?

Surely nothing could be simpler than that (for the company or the consumer), regardless of peoples' ability to do simple mathematics?

I'm possibly missing something obvious, so please be gentle! I just don't understand unless one party sees a benefit.

[JBSleek]

I like points as they can go on sale therefore I am paying less but for actually money values then it is going to stay that way.

[bubblebeam]

How did you get so many disagrees?

What you said is true. The "dollar" value cards hardly ever go on sale (although recently I got two $20 psn cards for $35).

I bought two 3000msp for $37 each, which in australia they are normally $50 each.

While it does suck (They PURPOSELY have odd microsft point values, Metro has a 240, alan wake has a 560) in a lot of cases, if you are a savvy buyer you can get stuff cheaper. Though most things are cheaper on psn, it is possible to get them even cheaper if you buy the cards online.

[PS3isGAY]

Everything costs 20% more on XBL, so i avoid buying things from there when i can.
The points system is just a rip off, plain and simple.

[Ryo-Hazuki]

How dare MS posts real prices with real currency

[PS3isGAY]

How dare MS posts real prices
with real currency.....
.....and then say that they don't want people to pay those real prices; they want people to use the rip off points system.

[Ryo-Hazuki]

Yep

[MsmackyM]

If people have been dumb enough to accept the MS point system this long why change now.

[Belking]

I said the same thing about XGC on ps3.

[GreenRanger]

XBL: 100 points for €1.20. (500 points for €6)
PSN: €1.00 for €1.00.

[tigertron]

The XBL point system is so retarded. The PSN does it better.

[Cerberus29]

Although I do wish Microsoft would just use dollar amounts for simplicity, the points don't really bother me. I don't understand people that get mad and say stuff like "Microsoft is just trying to take your money". Duh, they're a business, that's what businesses do. It's a little thing called capitalism.

[GreenRanger]

Sony are a business too, and they don't need to rip people off.
That's why i prefer Sony over Microsoft.

[PS3isGAY]

Well said, +1 bubble.