Xbox 360 beta update 'raises EU game prices'

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Microsoft's ongoing Xbox 360 dashboard beta sees game prices increase by as much as a third, according to users involved with the test.

The new system update is set to axe Microsoft Points and replace them with real-world currency.

Those signed up to the current beta are subject to numerous non-disclosure agreements, however a number of users have contributed to a NeoGAF thread to complain that the conversion from MS Points to real money has resulted in higher prices, especially in the UK.

According to various beta users, Xbox 360 games that previously cost 800 Points were the equivalent of £6.80 when buying Points directly from Microsoft. Now beta users are reporting that after the update these games cost £8.99, a price increase of 32%.

Additionally, beta owners are reporting that while the update converts your current Points balance to real-life currency, it does so using the previous conversion rate. In other words, if you have 400 Points in your account it is converted to £3.40, leaving you unable to buy games that used to cost 400 Points.

Here's a summary of the beta prices, which CVG understands to be accurate:

400 points (£3.40 / €4.80) games are now £4.49 / €4.99
800 points (£6.80 / €9.60) games are now £8.99 / €9.99
1200 points (£10.40 / €14.40) games are now £11.99 / €14.99
1600 points (£13.60 / €19.20) games are now at £14.99 / €19.99

It should be stressed that as this system update is still in beta form this could still change, but at the moment it does appear that Microsoft is adopting a $1 = €1 = 90p pricing system.

One beta user told CVG: "Before the update my balance was enough to buy seven XBLA games at 800 Points each. Now, after the update, I can only afford five. I wish I'd known in advance, I'd have spent all my points before doing the update."

Xbox 360 owners will still be able to redeem Microsoft Points cards after the system update, but they will be credited with real-life funds equivalent to their previous value.

For example, If you buy a Call Of Duty Black Ops II: Vengeance download card from GAME, at the moment this card credits 1200 Points to your account so you can then buy and download the Vengeance DLC. After the system update the same card will credit roughly £10 to your account, but the DLC will cost £11.99, meaning the card won't be enough to purchase it.



Posted:
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/418403/xbox-360-beta-update-raises-eu-game-prices/

Comments

"Xbox 360 beta update 'raises EU game prices'" :: Login/Create an Account :: 91 comments

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AuraPosted:

It's not completely true. If I buy 800 points at whatever store in Germany, I pay 10, so the prices are correct. 1200 points cost 15 in Germany.

With the prices being 14,99 or 9,99 on XBL you even save 1cent.

SinksPosted:

Medion
bigchukka
basedmike
RATF all Bill Gates cares about is teh MONEY!


Bill Gates has nothing to do with the Xbox... he never did


He is the owner of Microsoft. He may not sit there with the Xbox team but he has a say in what the company does.


He retired ages ago...


lmao xD he isnt even with microsoft anymore.. what a bunch of dumb asses

AustraliansPosted:

iJarH3ad Bill Gates don't work for Microsoft. He's helping sick people around the world.

Get your damn facts straight.


Are you his agent?

AustraliansPosted:

God, I'm confused right now..

iJarH3adPosted:

Bill Gates don't work for Microsoft. He's helping sick people around the world.

Get your damn facts straight.

PlusnetPosted:

RATF all Bill Gates cares about is teh MONEY!


Of course.

MedionPosted:

bigchukka
basedmike
RATF all Bill Gates cares about is teh MONEY!


Bill Gates has nothing to do with the Xbox... he never did


He is the owner of Microsoft. He may not sit there with the Xbox team but he has a say in what the company does.


He retired ages ago...

bigchukkaPosted:

basedmike
RATF all Bill Gates cares about is teh MONEY!


Bill Gates has nothing to do with the Xbox... he never did


He is the owner of Microsoft. He may not sit there with the Xbox team but he has a say in what the company does.

XCaptainDinkXXPosted:

this is definitely a bug, in canada it is dollar for dollar, everything that is 20$ is 20$ i still havent checked minecraft but 1200 msp is 15 dollars. mappack and games are still the same, everything is the same microsoft just won back alot of people with reverse of drm this would be the worst possible thing they could do.

LeapPosted:

Imxgine You would think they would take care of this beforehand.


ikr. and not say anything.