Microsoft Points will be scrapped in favour of gift cards and credit card transactions, a report has suggested. The new system is expected to be introduced at E3 or Microsoft’s next Xbox unveiling event, according to The Verge, although it is unlikely to extend to the Xbox 360.
A Microsoft spokesperson said that it is “clear its points system is in the early stages of being phased out fully in favour of a local currency one”.
The gift cards, which will be similar to Apple iTunes vouchers, are expected to work across a range of Windows 8 products.
The future of MS Points was called into question last year, after it was revealed that the latest Windows 8 beta enabled users to pay for video content using cash instead of Microsoft’s own currency system.
Microsoft will likely explain its plans at the next Xbox unveiling event on May 21, which is believed to focus on hardware and services.
So if you have got “points” what will Microsoft do for those customers?
That’s a very good question and one that will hopefully be answered when Microsoft make an official statement