by: Tiffany Kaiser
Microsoft developers will have to prepare for upcoming changes
Microsoft is reportedly planning on ditching its virtual currency system, Microsoft Points, over the coming year.
Microsoft Points are the currency currently used for PC, Windows Phone, the Xbox Live Marketplace, Games for Windows Live Marketplace, Zune Online Store, and Windows Live Gallery. The points are used to purchase content without a credit card with the intention of decreasing small credit card transaction fees for Microsoft.
Now, Microsoft will work throughout 2012 to phase out the use of Microsoft Points and transition to real money instead. Microsoft hasn't made the official announcement yet, and refused to comment on the rumor.
However, Windows Phone, Xbox Live and Zune Marketplace developers with Microsoft publishing agreements are being warned to work with the upcoming change. They will have to create new plans for their latest downloadable content and in-app purchases.
The move isn't all that surprising, considering Microsoft has been sneaking cash purchases into Xbox Live. The elimination of Microsoft Points will likely appeal to customers who will no longer have to worry about Points-to-cash conversions.
Microsoft took a big hit last March when scammers found a way to generate new Microsoft Points out of old point codes. Microsoft was scammed out of $1.2 million and was forced to pull the plug on the site.
