It's the principle. It proves that the points system is just a cynical attempt to extract money from people.
Well, I don't know if it proves anything, but I agree it is pretty silly. Let me see if I can get a public statement from Microsoft on why they do it that way...
It's the principle. It proves that the points system is just a cynical attempt to extract money from people.
Ok, this is strange...
Xbox Live points are sold online in 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 blocks.
Xbox Live points are sold at retail in 1400 and 2800 blocks.
Zune Marketplace points are sold online in 400, 1200, 2000, and 4000 blocks.
So, ironically, it's better to buy your points through the Zune system than the Xbox system if you want to have 400 points to buy a game. Isn't that odd?
Xbox Live points are sold at retail in 1400 and 2800 blocks.
Here's where it gets worse. Each region stocks different Microsoft Points cards. In Australia, 1500 and 3000 blocks are prevalent. Elsewhere, I've seen a more sensible 1600 and 4000. Yet the cost of Xbox Live content remains the same across all regions.
I agree that having to deal with a totally different currency for Xbox Live/Zune content is silly. Thankfully, sites like this handle the arithmetic for us.
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Thankfully, sites like this handle the arithmetic for us.
Ugg. That site reminds me how unfair the exchange rate stuff is - one Zune marketplace track is 79 points, which is $1.26 according to that site...but only 99 cents USD.
*goes and does some math*
Ok, I don't know what kind of math that conversion site is based on, but if I take a retail card for 1400 points, which is $19.99 CAD, then add tax (5%), then the points into the dollar amount, I get 1.5 cents per point...which makes a Zune marketplace track for 79 points cost me $1.18.
Ok, I don't know what kind of math that conversion site is based on, but if I take a retail card for 1400 points, which is $19.99 CAD, then add tax (5%), then the points into the dollar amount, I get 1.5 cents per point...which makes a Zune marketplace track for 79 points cost me $1.18.
It uses the conversion rate that Xbox Live uses.
What's sad is that it's not uncommon for Microsoft Points cards to carry a markup when sold at retail. That's not the case with iTunes cards. They always sell 1:1 or even less. Last week, I saw one store selling $50 cards for $30. The week before, another store selling 2 x $20 cards ($40) for $20. That's bang for buck! And no futzing around with Points, fortunately.
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I do appreciate the idea of micro transactions. I can understand how different countries pay different rates for points (maybe I should make a business of importing points cards to canada!).
The 800pts to the dollar thing probably has something to do with the different international prices. They want card values to line up with round numbers ($5 for 400 pts).
I doubt MSFT really cares about my short term loan, too. And, I'm usually only loaning them 5 or 10 dollars.
BUT!!! we already have a means of exchange. It's called 'money'. I have $10 left in wii points, $15 on MSFT points, a $20 gift card I never used, $10 in Playstation network money, and so on. I see how these fake currencies benefit the currency makers, but really fail to see how it benefits me. I'm still lugging around a $10 pete's coffee card is seemingly accepted at ZERO Pete's locations.
And while I could buy the micro transaction excuse, I don't think anything on xbox marketplace costs less than a dollar. The margins for these digital downloads are very generous; Apple can process my $1 purchase, why not MSFT?
Many consumers are just as turned off as I am. Maybe it's (a very small part of) why iTunes is more popular than the zune marketplace.
And while I could buy the micro transaction excuse, I don't think anything on xbox marketplace costs less than a dollar.
Sure there is - do you have an Xbox 360? Take a look at the picture packs, theme packs, backgrounds, etc. Now maybe that's not a good enough excuse to warrant the hassle with points, but there is content being sold for under 79 points - I've bought some of it.
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