Microsoft Points are an oft-hated system by many gamers. Many have called for an end to the system and a move to a simpler purchasing system like PlayStation Network has. Most just want buy what they want with real money, not some fake currency where they are forced to spend more than they want when items don’t fit within multiples of $5.
If rumors are to be believed apparently Microsoft, too, has grown tired of Microsoft Points. InsideMobileApps is reporting a source has told them that Microsoft Points are set to be phased out by the end of 2012. By then all purchases will be made with real money based on the region of the account. In addition to changing how Xbox Live will work this will also affect the Zune Marketplace and Windows Phone.
Microsoft has yet to confirm the validity of this rumor so we’ll have to see how it goes. Personally I don’t see why they can’t just allow both real money and Microsoft Points to co-exist. They already allow you to purchase Games on Demand using a credit card, it can’t be that hard to extend that to other areas.
