Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[MS Point scam cost Microsoft over $1 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/ms-point-scam-cost-microsoft-over-1-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/ms-point-scam-cost-microsoft-over-1-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/ms-point-scam-cost-microsoft-over-1-million/#comments That seemingly unintelligible string of numbers and letters attached to MS Point cards and Xbox Live Gold trials has an underlying code, a kind of system in place, a group of hackers found out yesterday. Using old claimed codes, this group was able to come up with an algorithm to generate new, valid code strings -- those who input the code got 160 MS Points and could refresh the site for more. Later, through a separate channel, hackers were able to exploit the algorithm to generate codes for a Halo: Reach Banshee Avatar prop.

This forum seems to be the origin point of the algorithm in question, where some users have claimed to have gathered hundreds of dollars in MS Points; current estimates put the total damage to Microsoft at over $1 million. Microsoft has since had the codes pulled, though we have to wonder if there's any other countermeasure the company could use to catch these individuals.

Honestly, we're a bit too busy staring at these awesome lightsabers we just got for our Avatar to worry about such things. Lightsabers that were, uh, totally acquired through legal, completely ethical means -- yeah, that's it.

JoystiqMS Point scam cost Microsoft over $1 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 06:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftms-pointsscamxblaxblmxboxxbox-live-marketplaceThu, 10 Mar 2011 06:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Deal: Snag 4000 MS Points for $40]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/deal-snag-4000-ms-points-for-40/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/deal-snag-4000-ms-points-for-40/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/deal-snag-4000-ms-points-for-40/#comments Anyone looking to bulk up on MS Points, listen up: Buy.com (via its eBay outlet) is selling 4000 MS Point cards for $40 with free economy shipping. That's $10 off the usual price or, depending on how you look at it, 1000 MS Points for free. Act quickly, they're bound to sell out fast.

Continue reading Deal: Snag 4000 MS Points for $40

JoystiqDeal: Snag 4000 MS Points for $40 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftms-pointsxboxFri, 25 Feb 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kmart offering 4000 MS Point card for $40 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/kmart-offering-4000-ms-point-card-for-40/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/kmart-offering-4000-ms-point-card-for-40/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/kmart-offering-4000-ms-point-card-for-40/#comments Update: Kmart.com stopped the promotion, citing an error in the company's computer system that has since been fixed. Sorry folks!

In our never-ending quest to acquire all Microsoft Avatar clothing and props, we relish the moments when Microsoft Point cards are discounted in real-life money. This is one of those moments, with Kmart.com giving 20 percent off of "select game accessories" -- including 4000 MS Point cards.

To be extra clear, that's $50 in points for $40. As SlickDeals.net points out, though, the discount doesn't apply until you've added the card to your virtual basket, and you must enter "KMGIFTS" for free shipping -- "YOGIMMETHISFORFREE" does not work.

JoystiqKmart offering 4000 MS Point card for $40 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>discountkmartmicrosoftms-pointsxboxTue, 07 Dec 2010 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[MS Points now sold in $5 increments]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/ms-points-now-sold-in-5-increments/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/ms-points-now-sold-in-5-increments/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/ms-points-now-sold-in-5-increments/#comments Do you smell that? Can you taste it? That, dear readers, is the sweet taste of freedom. In more exact terms, it's the taste of never being forced to buy extra Microsoft Points again. The problem with Microsoft Points has always been summed up pretty accurately by the age-old hot dogs vs. hot dog buns debate. If you wanted to buy a 400 ($5) Xbox Live Arcade game, you were forced to buy 500 from Xbox Live Marketplace, leaving you with 100 nearly useless points. And let's not even start on the inexplicable fact that 80 is equivalent to $1, making the whole process that much more confusing.

Thankfully, at least part of that has been rectified, as tipster Chuck points out that Microsoft is now selling MS Points in increments of $5 through the Xbox Live Marketplace on Xbox.com and through the console itself. Previously, the only way to get exact dollar amounts was to purchase physical point cards at a retailer, but not anymore. As evidenced above, users can now buy points in 400, 800, 1600 or 4000 point bundles, coming in at clean $5, $10, $20 and $50 price points. That's right, never again will you have to purchase some stupid gamer picture just to spend those spare points on something.

Today, ladies and gentlemen, is a good day.

JoystiqMS Points now sold in $5 increments originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft-pointsms-pointsxblmFri, 09 Apr 2010 16:13:00 EST<![CDATA[800 MS point cards now available at retail [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/800-ms-point-cards-now-available-at-retail/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/800-ms-point-cards-now-available-at-retail/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/800-ms-point-cards-now-available-at-retail/#commentsFiled under:


Update: Upon further inspection, the pricing for 800 MS point cards looks to be $9.99 making it only $.01 cheaper than 1600 point cards.

At retail in the U.S., Microsoft point purchasers only have one buying option and that's a 1600 Microsoft point card for around $19.99. But let's say a customer (a retail buying customer) wants, say, half that. Something more like 800 points. Well, that customer would normally be out of luck. That is until now, because we just learned that Microsoft is now selling 800 MS point cards at the retail level. These point of sale activation cards (as seen above) are even value priced at $9.39 USD priced at $9.99, which is in line with the 1600 point cards. How's that for convenience?

[Thanks, Adam L.]

Joystiq800 MS point cards now available at retail [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Breakingmicrosoft-pointsms-pointsx3f-twitterxbox-liveThu, 18 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fanswag: Win 1600 MS Point codes and Aces of the Galaxy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/fanswag-win-1600-ms-point-codes-and-aces-of-the-galaxy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/fanswag-win-1600-ms-point-codes-and-aces-of-the-galaxy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/fanswag-win-1600-ms-point-codes-and-aces-of-the-galaxy/#commentsFiled under:


Let's face it, stuff on Xbox Live Marketplace can be expensive. Don't worry if your wallet is a little thin these days though, because we've got you covered. We have 19 1600 MS Point download codes, and we're giving them all away to you, our beloved readers. Will be giving away four of those codes today and the rest of them Thursday and Friday. Just for grins, we'll also throw in a free download for Aces of the Galaxy to our first place winner (we'll throw other prizes into the mix on Thursday and Friday). For your chance to win today's codes, follow the directions below.
  • Leave a comment on this post telling us what you would buy with 1600 Microsoft Points. We don't care if it's actually on the Marketplace or not.
  • Only one comment per person will be accepted. Posters of multiple comments will be disqualified. We'll accept entries until 6:00PM Eastern time today, June 18, 2008. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec).
  • Later today, we'll pick 4 winners via a random drawing
  • One grand prize winner will receive a redemption code for 1600 Microsoft Points and a redemtion code for Aces of the Galaxy, worth a total of $30. Three additional winners will each receive a redemption code for 1600 Microsoft Points, worth $20 each
  • Complete giveaway rules can be found here

JoystiqFanswag: Win 1600 MS Point codes and Aces of the Galaxy originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aces-of-the-galaxyfanswagms-pointsxblaxbox-live-arcadeWed, 18 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This week, Target has 1600 MS points for $15]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/this-week-target-has-1600-ms-points-for-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/this-week-target-has-1600-ms-points-for-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/this-week-target-has-1600-ms-points-for-15/#commentsFiled under:

This week's Target sales paper has a special gift for those who want relatively cheaper Xbox Live content: a 1600 Microsoft Points for $14.99 (plus applicable sales tax), a great price given the currency conversion of $20. So unless your state has a 34% sales tax (which would thus negate the sale), we'd suggest stocking up while you can. Go now and enjoy, the deal ends May 31.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqThis week, Target has 1600 MS points for $15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 May 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ms-pointstargetxblaxblmXbox-360xbox-liveWed, 28 May 2008 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan can now buy MSpoints via cell phone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/japan-can-now-buy-mspoints-via-cell-phone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/japan-can-now-buy-mspoints-via-cell-phone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/japan-can-now-buy-mspoints-via-cell-phone/#commentsFiled under:

We haven't heard news such as this since the last time Microsoft was showing off the so far poorly executed Live Anywhere. Beginning Monday, the Japanese phone service provider NTT DoCoMo will allow its users to pay for MSpoints or a Gold Subscription right from their phone. Any purchases made via the "DoCoMo Mobile Payment Service" are charged to the phone bill, thus bypassing any form of credit card information going to MS. While a move such as this isn't exactly out of character for a company, we have to wonder about the practicality of it for the masses.

The most useful situation would be if you were the type of player who uses point cards and doesn't have any CC info associated with their Gamertag. Buying points via phone could save a trip to the store AND keep the evil empire away from your bank info. However, if this comes to the US we foresee many, many XBL brats using their phones to avoid bugging mom and dad for their credit cards ....

JoystiqJapan can now buy MSpoints via cell phone originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 May 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cell-phonelive-anywherems-pointsmspointsxblmxbox-live-anywherexbox-live-marketplaceSun, 25 May 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live size limit upped to 350MB, price limit to 1600 MS points]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/xbox-live-size-limit-upped-to-350mb-price-limit-to-1600-ms-poin/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/xbox-live-size-limit-upped-to-350mb-price-limit-to-1600-ms-poin/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/xbox-live-size-limit-upped-to-350mb-price-limit-to-1600-ms-poin/#commentsFiled under: ,

Good news for everyone wondering how the heck Soul Calibur was going to fit within Xbox Live Arcade's puny 150MB limit: although we knew it was planned to up the size limit to 350MB, Xbox Live General Manager Marc Whitten has made it official.

"We are officially increasing our XBLA game size limits dramatically from 150MB to 350MB," said Whitten in an interview with Next-Gen. He also said the price limit of Xbox Live Arcade games has been raised to 1600 MS points (US $20), which was first seen this week for Penny Arcade Adventures.

JoystiqXbox Live size limit upped to 350MB, price limit to 1600 MS points originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsmicrosoftmicrosoft-pointsms-pointsxblaXbox-360xbox-livexbox-live-arcadeThu, 22 May 2008 17:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Alert! Microsoft Points scam sweeps Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/17/alert-microsoft-points-scam-sweeps-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/17/alert-microsoft-points-scam-sweeps-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/17/alert-microsoft-points-scam-sweeps-xbox-live/#commentsFiled under: ,

While every major company in the world attempts to bang into your head that they will never ask for your account information sometimes people don't listen.

Unfortunately a scam, which appears to have been around for some time, promises free Microsoft points when you log into your .net Passport account. This site, and any site that promises the same, is 100% fake and will only lead to a headache like the reader who sent this in who had 5000 MS points purchased with his credit card.

We know this isn't the first, nor will it be the last, site to attempt to scam you but we hope to echo what you all should already know.

We won't link the site itself, for fear of spreading the scam, but we would like to remind you of a few key things.
  1. Microsoft will only give points away during official contests that ALWAYS link directly back to a Microsoft site and those contests are always widely reported on X3F, Joystiq and other gaming sites
  2. Never, no matter what you're promised, log into your account unless on officially sanctioned Xbox sites (Xbox.com, Bungie.net, ForzaMotorsport.net, etc.)
  3. Never give away your user name and password to anyone and remember Microsoft will never ask for this information
  4. Never give away your account details, including credit card information and mailing address
Do not get caught in a scam, who knows how deep the rabbit hole goes if you do.

Check out our visual guide to spotting fake Microsoft sites used in similar scams. This guide isn't foolproof however, so just steer clear from anything that promises anything!

JoystiqAlert! Microsoft Points scam sweeps Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 May 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alertms-pointsscamxbox-liveSat, 17 May 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ForgeHub.com Halo 3 Forge contest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/forgehub-com-halo-3-forge-contest/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/forgehub-com-halo-3-forge-contest/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/forgehub-com-halo-3-forge-contest/#commentsFiled under: ,


Civil War reenactments are a fascinating thing. People crowd around to watch an epic battle and they already know the outcome. That's like watching Titanic and really hoping they drift past that infamous iceberg. Apparently the folks at Forge Hub are so enthralled with historic battles that they're willing to throw one lucky winner 1600 MS Points in their Shell Shocked Contest. The contest is open to anyone who can create the most accurate portrayal of a historic battle using the Forge mode in Halo 3, but keep in mind D-Day submissions aren't allowed. Why? We think it's because in a world of Civil War reenactments everyone is pretty bored of playing through World War II.

[Thanks, Killer678]

JoystiqForgeHub.com Halo 3 Forge contest originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forgeforge-hubhalo-3halo-3-contestms-point-giveawayms-pointsThu, 07 Feb 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Why exact change is an MS Point no-no]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/why-exact-change-is-an-ms-point-no-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/why-exact-change-is-an-ms-point-no-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/why-exact-change-is-an-ms-point-no-no/#commentsFiled under:

It's happened to all of us. There's a game on Xbox Live Arcade that you want for the ever attractive price of 400 MS Points. You don't have any points, so you decide to buy some. But what's this? You can only purchase them in multiples of 500, leaving you with useless leftover points. This begs the question, why can't you buy the exact amount you need? 1UP's Patrick Klepek asked just this question of Xbox 360 group product manager Aaron Greenberg. While we've always assumed that spare change is produced in order to entice users to spend more money so they can spend more Microsoft Points, Greenberg has a different answer. "The reason why we do that, the core reason, is around credit card transaction fees," says Greenberg, adding, "If we do this in bulk, we don't have to burden the consumer with the transaction fees, or ourselves or publishers." He conceded that it's annoying to end up with odd leftover points, but added that Microsoft isn't planning on changing the system anytime soon.

So there you have it folks, you're spending extra money so you can save money. Simple, right?

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqWhy exact change is an MS Point no-no originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-greenbergaarongreenbergms-pointsxblmTue, 11 Dec 2007 17:30:00 EST