Xbox Live Points On Pre-Sale

Microsoft is offering up Xbox Live Marketplace points for presale, according to Edge Online. Ala iTunes prepaid cards, the relatively cheap cards are to allow players to conduct microtransactions, purchasing game enhancing features like new texture elements or game levels. From the article: "Its worthy of note though that, according to the item's description, the points allegedly can also be used for both games purchases on the Xbox Live Arcade service and subscription fees for forthcoming MMORPGs. This may suggest a new unified and universal online currency for all Xbox 360 transactions, adding a layer of obfuscation as well as convenience to the potential buyer, who may be quicker to spend '800 points' than the equivalent £5 for that coveted new multiplayer map."

Comments

Summary is slightly off:

[Red Flayer]

FTA: "To that end, and taking a tip from other online services like iTunes, American online retailers have begun taking preorders on pre-paid Xbox 360 Live Marketplace Points.

FTSummary: " Microsoft is offering up Xbox Live Marketplace points for presale, according to Edge Online."

A subtle distinction, perhaps, but MS is not retailing the points directly as of now.

The silliest part -- why would anyone prepay for these Points, it's not like inventory is limited by physical supply, right? Unless MS chooses to artificially induce delays in delivery, or can't handle the volume (which would really, really surprise me).