Microsoft Facing Lawsuit Over Xbox Live Pricing

[luke_c]

Samuel Lassoff, an attorney in Philadelphia, is taking Microsoft to court over claims that the Xbox 360's currency system - Microsoft Points - exists to "unjustly enrich" the console manufacturer.

The basis of Lassoff's complaint will no doubt also the basis of many of your complaints over the system. Namely, that prices are engineered so that you buy more points than you need, but the leftover points aren't enough to buy something else.

He alleges that this practice amounts to a "fraudulent handling" of his account, the end result being the attorney is now filing a class action suit against Microsoft.

It's convenient timing on the part of Lassoff, coming on the heels of Microsoft's comments last week which cast doubt on the future of the unpopular, confusing currency system. Hopefully this gives the company the kick along it needs to do away with it altogether.

Source.

Win.

 

[alidsl]

microsoft need to fix the pricing for live

 

[luke_c]

microsoft need to fix the pricing for live

Yeah, they need to make it free, the money grabbing whores.

 

[Magoo222]

Surely they'll just argue that it's to avoid currency fluctuations, which allows them to keep a consistent pricing scheme across the whole system? Rather than just admit that their exchange rate is simply $1=£1.

 

[Mr.Mysterio]

Hope the attorney wins.
The only reason why I didnt buy an Xbox 360 was Xbox Live.

 

[ZeWarrior]

microsoft need to fix the pricing for live

Yeah, they need to make it free, the money grabbing whores.

That's never going to happen, I understand that you're young and its hard to make money at that age, but Live isn't that expensive. And the title is wrong, its about the Microsoft Points, not Xbox Live itself. And this lawsuit will never get anywhere..

 

[luke_c]

microsoft need to fix the pricing for live

Yeah, they need to make it free, the money grabbing whores.

That's never going to happen, I understand that you're young and its hard to make money at that age, but Live isn't that expensive. And the title is wrong, its about the Microsoft Points, not Xbox Live itself. And this lawsuit will never get anywhere..

Pretty obvious that this won't go anywhere, things like this never do, but surely Microsoft rake in enough dosh with Windows and the Console itself, and all their other projects, Online should always be free and this is one of the major let downs that stopped me from even considering a 360.

 

[ZenZero]

Hope the attorney wins.
The only reason why I didnt buy an Xbox 360 was Xbox Live.

the only reason why I DID buy an xbox 360 was xbox live

 

[Maikel Steneker]

I don't get it. This happens on Sony's and Nintendo's systems too, right? If I buy a $10 PSN card I can only buy one 6 dollar LittleBigPlanet expansion from it, forcing me to spend another 10 dollars for the next one. I just spent 8 dollars too much. If you don't like this, use a creditcard. I'm pretty sure that's also possible on Xbox Live.

 

[Magoo222]

I don't get it. This happens on Sony's and Nintendo's systems too, right? If I buy a $10 PSN card I can only buy one 6 dollar LittleBigPlanet expansion from it, forcing me to spend another 10 dollars for the next one. I just spent 8 dollars too much. If you don't like this, use a creditcard. I'm pretty sure that's also possible on Xbox Live.

The difference with Microsoft points is that they're in increments of points, not currency. You buy 1000 points, and spend 800 on a game, there's nothing to spend 200 points on. I think the suit is aimed at removing the points scheme and just showing the currency values. Although doesn't the Games on Demand section of Live now do this?

 

[R2DJ]

I doubt this lawsuit will go that far, but I do agree that MS should abandon the currency system. I'd rather buy things the PSN way...

 

[Brian117]

Cmon' Samuel! Kick their expensive ripoff asses.

 

[Deleted User]

I don't get it. This happens on Sony's and Nintendo's systems too, right? If I buy a $10 PSN card I can only buy one 6 dollar LittleBigPlanet expansion from it, forcing me to spend another 10 dollars for the next one. I just spent 8 dollars too much. If you don't like this, use a creditcard. I'm pretty sure that's also possible on Xbox Live.

The difference with Microsoft points is that they're in increments of points, not currency. You buy 1000 points, and spend 800 on a game, there's nothing to spend 200 points on. I think the suit is aimed at removing the points scheme and just showing the currency values. Although doesn't the Games on Demand section of Live now do this?

Yes, the newer Games on Demand titles are displayed in EUR. I just realized that when I checked some out yesterday.

 

[Waeran]

This lawyer guy won't win anything. You could always just buy gamerpics or new themes to spend the remaining 200 or whatever points.

 

[Magoo222]

This lawyer guy won't win anything. You could always just buy gamerpics or new themes to spend the remaining 200 or whatever points.

But you shouldn't have to, that's the whole point. Imagine if you went into a shop and spent £25 (or Euro, Dollar etc.) but were forced to pay £30 and received a £5 voucher only to be used in that shop. Would you accept it?

 

[purplesludge]

This lawyer guy won't win anything. You could always just buy gamerpics or new themes to spend the remaining 200 or whatever points.

But you shouldn't have to, that's the whole point. Imagine if you went into a shop and spent £25 (or Euro, Dollar etc.) but were forced to pay £30 and received a £5 voucher only to be used in that shop. Would you accept it?

You mean like when i have $0.01 or $4.01 left in psn.

 

[SPH73]

Sony will debut their own paid XBL style service before the end of the year

Next gen consoles (Xbox 720, Wii HD, Apple TV) will all be subscription based.

 

[Snappo]

Money buys stuff, nuff said.

 

[fgghjjkll]

I do agree the xbox live is over priced. I mean, you shouldn't HAVE to pay for online gaming.

 

[omgpwn666]

Lawsuits are for broke people who want more money, imo. My friend tried to sew a school because his nose would get clogged when he was in the classrooms.