Microsoft plans Xbox Live scheme
Microsoft is reported to be planning a pilot rewards programme for its Xbox Live service.
The software giant sent out emails to a number of subscribers to the online gaming and digital media service, stating that the sign-up period for the programme closed on October 21.
Technology website Kotaku says that it is unclear what exactly the programme will entail. It could be anything from rewarding frequent gamers with Microsoft points to discounts for frequent point buyers.
The email sent to subscribers said: “This is an exclusive pilot rewards program. That means that the people who get in get stuff. Cool stuff. You want cool stuff, right? Sure you do, we all want stuff. Especially cool stuff. Well, you’ve only got until October 21, 2009 to let us know you want cool stuff, because after that, the doors close and someone else gets the cool stuff.
“So, you click the button below and register to let us know you want in and pretty soon we’ll let you know if you got in or not – and not everyone will (that’s why it’s called exclusive).”
The email added that the offer is for “a select few – you can’t send it to anyone else (why would you send something this awesome to someone else, are you nuts?). If you make the cut, you can pass or opt-out whenever you want.”
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has speculated that it would be a logical strategy for Microsoft to offer several subscription “tiers” for Xbox Live subscribers, with downloadable content (DLC) discounts and other rewards as a sensible incentive for the top tier — which he thinks could cost as much as US$100.
Sony, which produces the rival PlayStation games system, has recently announced the PS Thanks programme. Few details are available on this either, although like Microsoft it seems to be planning a tiered membership scheme to target the most serious games players. In a trademark filing of the “PS Thanks” name it stated it was an “incentive rewards program geared toward quantifying, identifying and motivating top consumer base with the goal of promotion and sale of video game hardware and software.