Xbox owners - I've had an idea...

[NinjaDeathSlap]

What if, for the next console generation, Microsoft got rid of MS points and let us use Gamerscore as currency?

The problems I have with the current system are twofold:

- I think that it is unfair that we should have to pay for downloads AND for a full Xbox Live membership, when on the PS3 you only have to pay for downloads.

- Although it is satisfying to get achievements, the Gamerscore that comes with them doesn't really serve any useful purpose.

Whereas I think using my idea (at least I hope it's my idea and nobody's already thought of it) would have three significant benefits.

- The system would be fairer because we would only have to fork out money for one thing, just like the PS3.

- Getting achievement would be even more rewarding if the Gamerscore had a useful purpose, and gamers would be more inclined to try for the more obscure/harder/more interesting achievement that usually come with the biggest payouts.

- Despite not making money through MS points anymore I think it would actually earn a bigger profit for Microsoft and the entire industry. The fairer system would persuade more gamers to buy Xbox's which helps Microsoft, and the idea of using Gamerscore earned from achievements to buy DLC will encourage gamers to buy more Xbox games to get their Gamerscore. This not only helps Microsoft, but the Dev's, Publishers, and Game Retailers too.

So That's my manifesto. Discussion value: Can this idea work? If so do you have anything of your own to add and would you be prepared to support this idea if it were presented to Microsoft? If this idea wouldn't work for some reason, can you please explain so I can correct/alter it.

 

[Rusty pumpkin]

Seems like a fine idea. I know when I got my first cheevo I thought "cool! What do I do with gamerscore?"

 

[Chamale]

I love the idea, but many stupid people would bring gamerwhoring to unprecedented levels. I don't think Microsoft would want to deal with the amount of abuse and stupidity that would result from assigning a value to gamerscore.

Also, eliminating MS points entirely would be really annoying. What if I had just bought my Xbox 360 and Fallout: New Vegas, then I wanted to spend 2400 points on DLC? I'd want to spend that money, not play a few games.

 

[TriggerHappyAngel]

But letting gamers pay for a subscription ánd for downloads earns Microsoft more money, so they'll stick with that.

 

[dosp5]

Funny story, when i originally bought a Xbox I thought use could use the gamer points to buy stuff.

 

[TornadoFive]

I don't think it would work. Mainly because you'd be using Gamerscore to pay for DLC, and developers wouldn't want that, so they come up with some other form of currency. But ALL developers would create a different currency, so the whole thing becomes a shambles.

How about, instead of EVERYTHING being bought wih Gamerscore, only avatar items were. They serve no real purpose, they're purely cosmetic. And as far as I know, they're created by Microsoft, so developers aren't losing out.

 

[DustyDrB]

Seems like a fine idea. I know when I got my first cheevo I thought "cool! What do I do with gamerscore?"

I used to think that. I was all excited and went to the Live Marketplace to try to buy stuff with my accumulated Gamerscore. Then I learned it's just a meaningless number that does nothing.

 

[Moriarty]

I fail to see how Microsoft would profit from this. Hell even the entire microsoft point system is just in place so people have to pay 2$ more everytime they purchase something.

 

[Flippincrazy]

Would it not kind of eliminate the chance for Indie Game developers to make any money at all? That and XBLA exclusive titles such as the Perfect Dark reboot? Correct me if I'm wrong however.

Other than that, sure it's a nice idea - but I think it'd be far too big a step for Microsoft to really consider implementing. What they have probably works good enough for them to be dissuaded from using such a new technique whose hypothetical success is based off of so many assumptions.

 

[Zyst]

No, it wouldn't work. First of all, what about indie games for instance? Where would they get their profit in this "business" model of yours? Quite simple, they wouldn't.

Second, it's already profitable, why would they possibly change something that is earning them money for something that sounds so idealistic? There's absolutely no payoff for the companies, and what you said about people buying more games?

Third, people WOULDN'T buy more games, ever heard of renting? Yeah, if you wanted some DLC for instance, people would rent the game, unlock most achievments and turn it back in. Look it up, even on youtube. "Easy 1000 Gamer Score with X; Howto guide."

Fourth, why would you make DLC anymore? This one is pretty self-explanatory, but yeah, DLC is usually a cash-in on the game popularity, most gamers like it, so it works out for the Devs and for the gamers, but if you got them for free, why in the seven hells would a Development team be paid (I remind you, programming games is a profession.) For something that will earn the team absolutely no revenue?

I'm sorry if I sound like an asshole, I don't think yours is a bad idea. But it wouldn't work, it's a bit too idealistic.

 

[HooterNanny]

Good idea, but I think there might be a problem:

Say I've got no gamerscore left because i've spent it all. Suddenly, some DLC gets released that I want to play, and it costs £5. I then have to go and but another game, probably costing more than £5, play it, and then spend it, whereas with MS points, I see some DLC I want, I but £5 worth of points, and buy it - Easier, and cheaper

 

[Gigaguy64]

Like some other people have said, what about Indi games?
Also its that subscription that lets the Xbox have a generally better online service.
Plus DLC is costing the developer MONEY.
Not GS.
And having it downloadable is costing Microsoft MONEY.
Not GS.

 

[Jamash]

I can just imagine the Indie Developers going to the bank and trying to pay off their business loan they used to set up their studio with Gamerscore...

"Hi, I'd like to make a deposit of 100,000 Gamerscore please, and I'd also like to pay off my mortgage in full with 500,000 hopes & dreams and this sack of children's letters to Father Christmas".

 

[Creator002]

It could work, but some people say Micro$oft (M$) for a reason. :/
Also, the prices of DLC would have to go down (or the amount of gamerscore per achievement would have to go up). I hardly ever even get close to 1000G in every game I buy. If a map pack for CoD is 1200 MS points (making it 1200G in this new system), that takes 1 game's whole achievement list plus 200G from another game.

 

[Mace Tulio]

My issue is that I don't want to be unable to purchase something because I haven't Delivered x A to B in Game Y.

I like the current system, why fix what ain't broke.

 

[Dexiro]

Paying for game related DLC using gamerscore wouldn't work in the slightest. It'd be cool if you could buy things like themes and accessories for your Avatar thing using gamerscore though.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

I fail to see how Microsoft would profit from this. Hell even the entire microsoft point system is just in place so people have to pay 2$ more everytime they purchase something.

I'm hoping that Microsoft would make more money (or at least a similar amount) through increased Xbox sales ans Live subscriptions by people who were put off by having to pay for more stuff than the PS3 makes you pay for, as well as an increase in game sales as people try to mine more and more games for their Gamerscore which would now serve a useful purpose.

 

[clipse15]

Basic economics would tell you that this would never work. So a company spends money and produces a DLC addon, and instead of getting paid for it someone downloads it using they're gamerscore. So that right there is no profit. Unless of course MS starts paying developers for the're DLC addons to recoup the dev's costs. Then you have MS spending money without recouping any of those costs.

TLDR: Bad idea and would never work

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Basic economics would tell you that this would never work. So a company spends money and produces a DLC addon, and instead of getting paid for it someone downloads it using they're gamerscore. So that right there is no profit. Unless of course MS starts paying developers for the're DLC addons to recoup the dev's costs. Then you have MS spending money without recouping any of those costs.

TLDR: Bad idea and would never work

But what if gamers started buying more games than they did before because even if they don't like the game they want to get more gamerscore? Wouldn't that be helping the developers?

 

[Demonicdan]

It would encourage people to buy more games if doing well would have proper rewards. I'd support this if I could also use my gamerscore to get them to fix my bloody console (E74).