It looks like the latest Xbox Live update is live and it means a big change in the way you’ll buy things on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and its upcoming Xbox One. As of today, the Xbox Live Marketplace will use real currency amounts and no longer use the proprietary Microsoft Points system.
Microsoft had previously announced the change and it’s finally being implemented. Instead of games and downloads being priced in MS points, they’re now priced in your local money (so, American Dollars in the United States for example). Existing Microsoft points will be converted to currency too, so you can finally use the random 80 MS points that are always gathering dust in your Xbox account. Microsoft points cards will still be honored, and their worth in your local currency will be added to your account.
Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb announced the update on his blog, which also links to an FAQ that should answer any lingering questions about the change:
Today, we’re announcing the release of the Fall (or Spring depending on where you are from) 2013 Xbox Live Update for Xbox 360. It brings several features for Xbox Live members, chief among them the ability to buy content on Xbox 360 using local currency.
What do you need to do to get this update? The next time you log into Xbox Live, you will automatically be prompted to start the download. After that, when you go to initiate a purchase or redeem a Microsoft Points card through your Xbox 360, we’ll add to your Microsoft account an amount of currency equal to or greater than the Xbox Marketplace value of your Microsoft Points. We’ll also continue to accept purchased Microsoft Points Cards and codes until further notice. It’s that easy.
This is great news to me, I’ve always found Microsoft Points to be an unnecessary layer of complication when making Xbox Live transactions. If a game is $10, it should say it’s $10 instead of 800 Microsoft Points! This update should cut down on the confusion and allow users to pay for only what they want, rather than having to load up their account with MS points in set amounts.
So what do you think? Let us know in the comments!
[Via: Major Nelson]