Robert McLaws recently posted that Microsoft Points Are Like Poker Chips, and how he loves MS Points, wants to see them everywhere.
I have been pretty vocal and consistent that MS Points suck because they are completely anti-consumer, they only benefit Microsoft. If anyone, like Robert McLaws, say they like them, well then they are a tool. And MS Points are only on the surface like poker chips because poker chips at any casino have two huge feature that MS Points don't:
- You can always convert poker chips to cash, not true for MS Points
- Poker chips are worth the same thing as dollars, MS Points are fractional to confuse consumers
Finally, until I see a legitimate independent study done comparing purchasing content using MS Points vs. dollars ala Apple and iTunes, I don't believe as McLaws asserts that people buy more content on Xbox Live Marketplace because of MS Points. I would argue that purchases on Xbox Live Marketplace are in spite of MS Points. There is a no way an additional layer of indirection, having to add a block of points before making a purchase and having to convert to dollars, is easier, more convenient, or results in more sales than simply pressing buy in iTunes using dollars and being done with it.