Microsoft has launched its Xbox LIVE rewards program which is a method for LIVE members to earn MS points by simply using the service. Did you hang on to your UK Xbox LIVE account in the wake of the South African Xbox LIVE launch? You may be glad you did – the service is currently only available to those registered in the UK and the US.
LIVE users can earn MS points for renewing their Gold accounts and purchasing a Gold Family Pack. The program will also reward those who make their first gold purchase or renewal, and their first Marketplace purchase. This seems like a good way to lure new Xbox LIVE users into the service. Finally, there are rewards for activating Netflix in the US or the Sky Player in the UK.
There are some vague references to being able to earn varying MS points from select Marketplace content. Presumably these rewards will be stipulated as and when Microsoft decides to attach a reward to a particular Martketplace item.
There are some limitations on the number of points that can be earned through subscription purchases, so it’s best to take a look at the terms and conditions.
The table below provides an overview of the reward actions and the MS Points reward.
Reading through the terms and conditions, it appears that this rewards program is only operational until 30 June 2011. The maximum amount of MS points that can be earned during the rewards period is 15,000 MS Points. To further squeeze encourage users to make purchases, one will have to accumulate over 100 reward MS points before they will appear in one’s account. The award process can take up to 30 days to reflect.
If one has made a purchase or renewal since 31 December 2007, they are not eligible for first-time purchase/renewal rewards. Existing members who have not been actively purchasing since that date qualify for rewards.
To sign up for the Rewards program simply visit the Xbox LIVE Rewards website, sign into your Xbox LIVE account, and follow the relevant links.
It seems that the servers are under a bit of strain at the time of writing, so don’t be too worried if the message below appears.
The website has drifted in and out of accessibility over the last few hours, but eventually this writer was able to activate the Reward feature with a UK LIVE account. That also means that it appears as though the service isn’t sneakily region blocked.
MyGaming has contacted the South African Microsoft Xbox 360 team in order to find out if this rewards program will become available to South African LIVE service subscribers and we are awaiting their feedback.
Discuss Xbox LIVE Rewards on the MyGaming forum.
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