Microsoft’s virtual currency system, Microsoft Points, might be discontinued by the end of the year, according to reports online. The currency which has been used by gamers to purchase games and additional content via the Xbox Marketplace is said to be replaced by real currency instead. If it turns out to be true, a lot of people should be pleased by the move.
At the moment, users have to go through the hassle of buying points in bulk before they make any online purchases – a confusing experience for a lot of folk because they usually have to buy more points than necessary. By making products available via cash payments, consumers can skip the conversion process and make more informed decisions when purchasing games.
When its other stores like the Windows Phone Marketplace accept payments in traditional currency, it makes sense to get rid of the points system for the Xbox since Microsoft wants to streamline the experience across all its platforms anyway. Let’s just hope all the security issues that Microsoft has had with its points system in the past don’t show up again when/if Microsoft makes the switch. How many of you would prefer a currency-based system to Microsoft Points?