Microsoft Giving Away 1600 MS Points for AAA Game Pre-Orders

By Brian P Rubin | 18 January 2013 | 8 Comments

So, here’s something: I didn’t know you could buy Xbox 360 games from the Microsoft Store. I know, I know—that’s really dumb. Of course you can, right? But I just never really thought about ever going to the Microsoft Store’s website and browsing for Xbox 360 games there. As it turns out, it’s not a bad idea, since they’re now rewarding pre-orders of top-tier releases with 1600 Microsoft Points for free. That’s $20 of digital Xbox money, just for pre-ordering a game through their store.

Right now you’re probably thinking, “Well, I bet the games are junk. Or they’re over-priced. Or something something something to make this a crappy deal.” NONE OF THAT IS TRUE. The games available for pre-order are definitely games you’re going to want: Grand Theft Auto V, BioShock Infinite, Tomb Raider, Lost Planet 3, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Crysis 3 Hunter Edition, Dead Space 3, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14.

About 75 to 80 percent of those are games that are pretty hotly anticipated, and I’m sure whatever’s leftover will be pretty solid too. And they all carry the standard $59.99 price tag you can find on new Xbox 360 games in other stores.

Blam. That’s solid stuff. I’m pretty tempted, I must say. Anyone thinking about pre-ordering some games through the Microsoft Store because of this deal?

Microsoft Store via Joystiq

8 Comments

Posted by Mark on 18 January 13 at 10:52am

Hmm, 20 dollars in moon money just for buying through the store? there must be a catch somewhere I’m not seeing…
- Posted by Mugenite on 18 January 13 at 12:56pm
  
  The catch… The deal also includes a four year contract… for your soul…
  
  *Lightning strikes*
- Posted by Dylan on 18 January 13 at 9:33pm
  
  the catch is that its basically a discount, but you cant spend the money your saving anywhere else.
  - Posted by Mugenite on 20 January 13 at 8:59am
    
    Correct. MS is just trying to advertise their web-store so people start using it more often. I rarely buy anything hard-copy anymore, but when I do, I prefer to go to the stores so I can have it then and there. I’m an impatient gamer.
Posted by Matt N on 18 January 13 at 11:32am

I don’t think there is any catch. PC gamers get 10-25% off new releases consistently now through multiple stores (Steam, Amazon, Greenmangaming, Getgamesgo, even NewEgg retail). So, I’m glad to see this trend spreading to the consoles!
Posted by George on 18 January 13 at 12:29pm

Couldnt you just pre-order a game then get the points and then undo the order?
- Posted by AgentMicScarn on 18 January 13 at 12:44pm
  
  And then repeat the process, canceling after each pre-order. Infinite Moneys.
- Posted by DarthPrince on 18 January 13 at 9:15pm
  
  Has anyone tried this? I don’t really want to get any of those for the 360 but I do have my eye on a couple xbla titles….