Should I get Microsoft Points?

[Taz]

I've seen a few mentions of Microsoft Points (for Xbox 360 Live). What are these and what are they used for?

As far as I can tell, I can buy some arcade games and themes online using Microsoft Points. However, how do I get Microsoft Points in the first place? Can I buy them online?

[Lee`]

You trade real money for microsoft points (money) to buy arcade games, themes and material for games, on xbox live.

[Veles]

It's basically how you pay for items on xbox live marketplace.

On the old xbox, stuff used to be charged to the credit card used to pay for the account. Since you can now pay for a 12 month subscription with a time card code, it's obvious that old system wasn't going to work so they made the MS points system. With the MS points system you can either buy MS points instantly with a credit card (press the X button when in XBLM I think to bring up the screen to buy them) or buy a card from a shop that has a code, type that in and it'll credit your acount with however many points the card is worth.

MS points are used to buy lots of things, mainly full versions of XBLA games, premium downloadable content for games (like PGR3 car packs) and themes and gamer pictures.

Deffinitely worth getting some as some of the XBLA games are fantastic. I reccomend you try out:

Texas Hold 'em
UNO
Geometry Wars
Marble Blast Ultra
Outpost Kaloki X

These are all of the ones I've got that arn't free (Hexid HD comes free with the premium console, and totem ball seems to be free, but you need to have the camera peripheral to play it). If I had more money to burn I'm sure I'd buy more.

What I find annoying about the XBLA trial games is they show up on the games you own Bit of a pain.

I'm eagerly awaiting the Settlers of Catan XBLA game to come out.

EDIT: Most awesome idea, they should so re-release the PS1 Abe games on XBLA.

[Stewart]

Is annoying how they show up, it spoils your read out, having all these 0 gamer points.

Still, as I sold my 360 a few months back, this is now a very minor annoyance.

[dancingtornado]

Yeah love some stuff that u have to buy!

arcade is great, themes etc

[wrathamon]

I also wholeheartedly recommend

Geometry Wars
Marble Blast Ultra

from the Xbox Live Arcade.

I don't bother wasting points on themes and pictures etc. That's just companies cashing in I think.

There'll be more and more games hopefully appearing on XBLA - now that the cut down XNA dev stuff is get people coding!

[dancingtornado]

yeah geometry is a must have!

also i forgot to mention, these points are used for GAME updates for extra content like maps, weapons, cars etc

[Taz]

Okay, i've just bought some points. I'll look at the marketplace to see what's good. Thanks for the suggestions.