After the recent PSN hacking attack, Should Sony Adopt its Own Currency?

For those who aren’t familiar with Microsoft gaming systems, Microsoft Points are the currency for Zune, Windows Live Gallery, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Windows Games Live Marketplace. These points allow users to purchase items without using a credit card, reducing the amount of credit transactions that Microsoft would otherwise have to make.

In light of the recent PSN hacking attack, many people are suggesting that Sony should adopt a similar currency. At the moment, gamers need to rely solely on their credit cards to make purchases. This is one of the reasons why the attack could have resulted in financial fraud for many users, which may have been avoided if Sony had its own currency.

[guitarded77]

NO! I'm an adult, I can pay with real money.

[Nitrowolf2]

why does this article ignore the fact that there are PSN cards?

It's pretty much the exact same thing except you know exactly what the numbers mean.
MS Points Cards are the same as PSN Cards. I don't understand what this author is ranting about. There is no need for confusion of how much your getting for.
and
"At the moment, gamers need to rely solely on their credit cards to make purchases."

clearly this guy has absolutely no idea what he is talking about.

"These points allow users to purchase items without using a credit card, reducing the amount of credit transactions that Microsoft would otherwise have to make. "
once again PSN cards dur

i am sorry but i think the author is a complete moron for not doing their research better. Both services allow us to use credit cards and both services have the option of accepting their own type of exclusive cards.
Sony has it's own currency it's called standard money through PSN cards.

[InFAMOUS1]

Thank you Nitro!!!!!

This has been what gaming websites have been putting out since Apr 20, 2011.

M$ points CAN be purchased with a credit card... JUST like PSN cards..

This author has made me win the "Im Done With the Internetz Today" award. THANK YOU.

EDIT: The guy's opening paragraph is ridiculous!!!

[Scyrus]

it's called flamebait lol

[soren]

UR FORGETING WII CARDS 2

[Nitrowolf2]

@soren

i mention them down below.

pretty much both Nintendo and Sony use real money. 2000 Wii Points=$20

MS: 800=$10

800=$10
1600=$20
2400=$30
3200-$40
4000=$50
doesn't that just make it look like your loosing money or getting less then what you paid for?

just let this article die out

[SaxScrotumz]

My thoughts exactly, Nitro.

[lil Titan]

Microsoft points reminds me of the currency Monopoly, has no value in REAL LIFE

[Max_Dissatisfaction]

Tell that to the Limbo game I just purchased online...game seems pretty real to me. Wish monopoly money bought me games online

[Nitrowolf2]

nvm wrong post

[guitarded77]

@Max_Dissatisfaction
I'd like to speak with your Limbo game to verify your story.

[xAlmostPro]

I'll still be using my card :)

Because i didn't fall for false information and i also have a little super power called common sense.

Sony encrypt the data, they don't store the CVC. Even if a hacker broke the encryption there's a 99% chance he can't use the details, all online transactions require the CVC for a start.

Not only this, but they're offering the free fraud thing.

On top of this if somehow that 1% was overcome and they got access i check my account daily anyway and i'd spot something odd.

Further on top of that if my card details were somehow used and my account was emptied then i'd get refunded if it was fraud anyway.

[metsgaming]

honestly this is one of the dumbest ideas i have ever heard someone suggest.

[M-Easy]

This makes no sense at all, you still have to PAY for M$ points, it doesn't reduce anything. Sony has PSN cards that redeem in dollars not points if don't want to use your CC.

And I haven't heard one person say they want Sony points so IDK where that's coming from.

[ShadowKingx]

i think for a short time they should only take the psn cards as form of payment and let sony reps take debit card info (only done by calling sony and verificaton of some kind) and send them an email with the code/pin for redeemption.

i think while really no credit card fruad has really been reported. i think sony should use this idea for a short while.

yes im adult as well but this will prevent some credit card theft.

[ShadowKingx]

adopting there own currency wont really help the cause you still have to purchase ms point the same way with debit/credit card or ms point cards.

[B1663r]

Sure they have ripped off every other idea from xbl, so why not this one as well?

[ShadowKingx]

if this (but in wont) would help the credit card theft then i could care less if they ripped off ms.

[Nitrowolf2]

um no. Both Sony and Even Nintendo got it right. At least for both you know exactly what your getting for each dollar you spend. 2000= $20 for Nintendo
$20=$20
1600= $20

MS is literally the only service i know that uses such thing.

[fghsjdfghjdfhgkjdf]

You're totally correct. Sony are absolutely inferior to Microsoft in every way. I'm going to trade my PS3 in right away in exchange for a host of Microsoft products and services. Thank you so much for posting such clear minded and unbiased opinions on this website all the time.

I'm absolutely sure that you have already swayed the minds of so many Sony customers who clearly unwittingly purchased consoles and games that they actually didn't enjoy! Please keep spending all your time doing this because it is a valid use of your life. Microsoft would be proud of you.

[Simco876]

Live in the console war loser.

[xAlmostPro]

every other idea such as?..

Plus if you're going to get all fanboy, i think you'll find xbl is mostly made up of things found in pc gaming online from services(free services) such as xfire, steam etc

[LordMaim]

Like the XMB layout. Sony totally ripped that off of Microsoft's updated interface.

Oh wait...

[tigertron]

No, real money is fine by me.

[Who]

Since trophies were introduced, I thought they would be converted into some type of points/reward system, which could be traded in for avatars, themes, vids, PS Home content, etc. That would give me more incentive to go for that platinum.

[Nitrowolf2]

i to thought this, but thats actually up to the developers. It's been done before with games like FF13.

[blackburn10]

Even if that was the plan at some point it is ruined by the fact that you can trophy cheat. Meaning you could be earning something for doing nothing. BTW why do people approve this nonsense? Less then half PSN users used credit cards. PSN already has it's own currency, PSN cards. Honestly, what dimension does this writer come from? @ B1663r still writing without thinking first I see? @ Nitrowolf2 good point $20.00 is $20.00 on PSN. No having to translate from points and all that nonsense.

[plstcsldgr]

They were beta testing something like this called [PS Rewards] http://blog.us.playstation....
But it never worked quite right the quests for more ranking never updated, it took for ever to level up because the quests never updated. they back burner-ed the project for now and gave the beta testers a shirt. who knows when we will even see it go into action.

[Who]

Thanks for the info.

I knew there was something like this, but didn't hear back anything on the matter, so I figured they cancelled the project. Too bad it didn't make it. Hopefully, they'll re-launch in the future.

[verpuli]

here 1200 msp = 30 e and 20e psn wallet = 20e

wow what a hard choice

[gdguide]

Makes no sense. It's the fact that there are credit card numbers stored in your account that is the problem. The same thing happens if you pay for Live or games with a credit card through XBL.

[jukins]

an authenticator would be nice. but please do not change to a "point" system

[Alos88]

No. I like knowing exactly how much I am spending, thank you very much.

[Octo1]

PayPal as a payment option would be nice.

[Zashule]

Wow. This article is full of fail. Never thought I would see the day where someone asked for a point system over actual 1:1 currency system.

[Speakindatruth]

Isn't the currency on 360 really inconvenient? Like, you have to purchase currency in certain amounts and when you make a purchase you can't get back the money left over until you make an additional purchase? Then again, you're just putting more money toward something else to get that small bit of money's worth. This is why the PSN is superior in it's purchasing process. Moreover, currencies are confusing, man. How much is 1600MSP? I don't know. How much is $20? Oh yeah, twenty fucking dollars.

[Colmshan1990]

I agree with the confusing points system, I don't understand why they didn't just say 2000 points = $20 or something.
But the first drawback you mentioned... It exists on the PSN as well. Or am I missing something like an option to get your money back before your next purchase?
Because that would be cool. It would mean I could buy a €20 PSN card for a €14.99 game and get the €5.01 refunded to my debit card, which would probably lead to me buying more cards.

[Colmshan1990]

This is a poor article, simply because the author seemingly ignores the existence of PSN cards.
But... I would love Sony to try to push them more.
At present (in Ireland) I can only get them in specialist game shops (as opposed to anywhere they sell Playstation games) and only in €20 or €50 denominations.
If I use my debit card, I can spend any amount I choose to (as long as it's over €5), right down to the last cent.
Seeing as there are a lot of great games or DLC for less than €10, can't we have €10 or €5 cards?
Sometimes we don't want to spend €20, when there's a great €7.99 game just after coming out.

[Pillville]

There's no difference.

I have a CC on file with MS to fill my MS Point balance, and I can buy MS Point cards at a store.

I have a CC on file with Sony to fill my PSN balance, and I can buy PSN cards at a store.

Just think of it this way, Sony does use PS Points, it's just that 1 PS Point costs $1.

[Kran]

It already exists.

Its called "PSN Credit"

You can buy cards with money already on them.

[cr33ping_death]

if they were to do anything with a different currency just please dont make it like the carnival style MS points system. but i like paying with actual money so in my opinion they dont have to change a thing.

[RAmar101]

i wont bother reading article i can guess its jibberish as usual.

[Burning_Finger]

Apparently, the author of this article lives in a cave. XD

[CernaML]

Sweet Jesus... Can a so-called journalist be any more misinformed?

What an absolute joke.

[peeps]

Yeh I reckon they should introduce cards you can buy in the shops like MS offer... Oh wait.... http://www.game.co.uk/Acces...

[MasterCornholio]

And scam people with a ponts system no thanks i prefer to see the real value of what i am buying. Besides if people are so freaked out about using their debit cards they can just buy PSN cards and cash them in on the network.

[gypsygib]

You still use a credit card to buy MS points online so it makes no difference.

Both MS and PSN offer an online and retail option. Personally, I very much dislike points currency. In Canada the same game/DLC on Live costs more than on PSN, same with movie rentals due to overpriced points.

Strange thing is is that are currency is worth more so MS points should be cheaper.