Microsoft announces end to MS points

In a recent post on Xbox Wire, Chief Product Officer Marc Whitten announced that, with the next XBOX 360 update, Microsoft will stop using MS points in favour of local currency.

“After the next Xbox 360 system update when you go to buy something or redeem a Microsoft Points card or code on your console with your Microsoft account, we’ll add to your account an amount of currency equal to or greater than the Xbox Marketplace value of your Microsoft Points, which will be retired.”

However, converted MS points will expire within two years.

“The currency we add to your account at the time of the transition will expire on June 1, 2015. However, the currency you purchase and add to your account after the transition will not expire.”

With Microsoft having announced that it will continue to provide new content for the XBOX 360, why are they now abandoning MS points? They have long been criticised for being deceptive relative to ‘real world’ cost, and users have complained of having to buy MS points in rigid numbers, regardless of how many may be needed for one purchase.

With this in mind, many will likely welcome this transition.