Microsoft to Offer Rewards for Gamerscores
Today, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox LIVE Rewards program, which offers up virtual goodies on your birthday and rebates on Xbox LIVE Marketplace purchases every month. We first heard about this program back in June, though the announcement was more than a little vague. I was hoping that your Gamerscore and achievements could be straight up cashed in for some Microsoft Points. Turns out the truth is somewhat less exciting.
Signing up for the rewards program offers gamers three tiers of bonuses: with a Gamerscore between 3000 and 9999, you’ll be a “Contender,” and will receive a “Special Gift” during the month of your birthday. Between 10000 and 24999 are the “Champions” (with 12447, that’s where I fall), who will get the aforementioned birthday gift, along with a one percent rebate on Xbox LIVE purchases. The next tier up, “Legend,” is reserved for gamers with Gamerscores of 25000 or more, and gives them the gift and a two percent rebate. Well hot dang.
I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth—I mean, this is more than my Gamerscore was getting me before. But this all seems a little on the cheapo side, doesn’t it? Couldn’t I just get a gift credit of 400 MS points and call it a day? No. I have to spend points and get a measly one percent rebate. Boing.
What do you think? Impressed? Underwhelmed?
Meanwhile, the PlayStation Plus subscription gives me at least a whole free game just about every other week…

/images/social_rss_dark.png)
/images/social_twitter_dark.png)
/images/social_facebook_dark.png)

/images/blank.gif)
/images/top.png)
Birthday gift is cool, but I don’t want to spend money to make money. I wasn’t going to buy things in the first place. Having a two percent rebate won’t change anything.
Its free who cares
If they were really smart they would increase the rewards and the gamerscore ranges to encourage gamers to play more, achievement-whore more, and buy more Games. The rental market could make a come back.
It’s a business model that relies upon discount incentives, value adds and develops addiction amongst the consumer base.
@anoctris Very well said.
/discussion
Over 20 thousand GS… My life! It has… PURPOSE!!