The changeover from Microsoft points to real money on Xbox Live in the U.K. has resulted in a fairly significant increase in the price of games.
The change from Microsoft points to real money on Xbox Live is generally seen as a welcome move, but it looks like there will be a downside: prices are going to increase. According to a Reddit user in the U.K., where the new system is being tested, games that previously went for 1200 Microsoft points, which cost £9.99, are now listing for £11.99. Another user joined in to say that all prices are going up, from 400 point games which now cost £4.49 compared to a £3.33 price for 400 MS points, to 1600 point games, which cost £14.99 rather than the £13.33 price for 1600 MS points.
There are conflicting reports about the actual value of Microsoft points when converted to real money under the beta, however. The original Reddit post claims that a 1200 Microsoft point card purchased for £9.99 converts to £9.99, but Videogamer.com reports that a 4200 Microsoft point card purchased for £33 converts to £35.70 in the beta. Some users have also said that these increases merely bring Xbox Live pricing in line with the PlayStation Network, but others dispute that.
It’s not clear how this might affect Xbox Live users in other regions, and it’s also worth remembering that this is a beta test, so nothing is carved in stone. We’ll update if and when we hear more.
Source: Reddit
