What the hell is wrong with using real money?

[Keavy]

Yesterday I bought the FFXI Picture pack because I wanted that adorable little moogle you see in my gamertag below. 80 Marketplace points and he along with his buddies are now mine. Problem is I now have 720 Marketplace points. Thankfully I own a game that offers 20 point expansion packs so I can use up the excess points without really wasting them but that's not my problem. My problem is with the goddamn points system in the first place. Why the hell is it there to begin with and why the hell do 80 Marketplace points = $1 US?

Nintendo's points system for Virtual Console is only slightly better. 100 VC points = $1 US so the math is a little easier but the games are 500, 600, 800, and 1000 points each. The 600 and 800 point games are the ones that mess you up in the long run because you end up with weird amounts and end up buying more points to balance it out hoping that someday you end up with zero points through buying points and games you actually want so you don't waste money.

Its like that Steve Martin routine about how hot dogs come in packs of ten and buns in packs of eight only its worse because you can eat bun-less hot dogs but you can't do anything with a weird amount of points unless you buy more points.

[Fiye]

Its scientically proven that uneven points will piss you off.

But seriously, its how they make you buy more crap. Though, the Xbox method is more of "HAHA! PWNED!" in terms of how you think of your money.

I wonder about Sony's little system.

[Alya Mizar (Tsybil)]

Its not just all about the money.

Its about retaining customers too.

[Keavy]

Its scientically proven that uneven points will piss you off.

But seriously, its how they make you buy more crap. Though, the Xbox method is more of "HAHA! PWNED!" in terms of how you think of your money.

I wonder about Sony's little system.

Since I don't own a PS3 I can't say for sure but apparently you can put certain denominations into a "Wallet" which you then use to pay for stuff.

Seems just as stupid as MS and Nintendo's systems. Goddamn, just let me pay for the crap with real money from my bank account. Is that so hard?

[Fiye]

Its scientically proven that uneven points will piss you off.

But seriously, its how they make you buy more crap. Though, the Xbox method is more of "HAHA! PWNED!" in terms of how you think of your money.

I wonder about Sony's little system.

Since I don't own a PS3 I can't say for sure but apparently you can put certain denominations into a "Wallet" which you then use to pay for stuff.

Seems just as stupid as MS and Nintendo's systems. Goddamn, just let me pay for the crap with real money from my bank account. Is that so hard?

Well, with the Wii what I have to do is choose from a few options.

500 Points, 1000 Points, 2000 Points, and a fourth option.

Really wish theyd add a 600 and 800, but what can ya do.

[Keavy]

Its scientically proven that uneven points will piss you off.

But seriously, its how they make you buy more crap. Though, the Xbox method is more of "HAHA! PWNED!" in terms of how you think of your money.

I wonder about Sony's little system.

Since I don't own a PS3 I can't say for sure but apparently you can put certain denominations into a "Wallet" which you then use to pay for stuff.

Seems just as stupid as MS and Nintendo's systems. Goddamn, just let me pay for the crap with real money from my bank account. Is that so hard?

Well, with the Wii what I have to do is choose from a few options.

500 Points, 1000 Points, 2000 Points, and a fourth option.

Really wish theyd add a 600 and 800, but what can ya do.

Go on internet forums and bitch about it?

Also I would like to thank MS for getting Sonic the Hedgehog on XBLA. I was gonna buy it through VC for $8 but thanks to them I got it with achievements for $5.

I like getting more for less

*This post brought to you by Microsoft, makers of the Xbox Live Arcade*