Microsoft’s Xbox Live Points system is arguably deceptive, where a $10 item will cost 1200 points, where most people think that 100 points = $1. It doesn’t, and Microsoft have now been sued over another “points” issue, which deals with the “leftover points” that members buy. For instance, buying 1600 points, spending 1500 of them on DLC, and then you’re stuck with 100 points which you can’t really buy anything for, and the points are not redeemable. You’re essentially forced to buy more points if you want to spend those last 100 points. Most people never do, and Microsoft basically profits the leftover points.

The class-action lawsuit was filed by Samuel Lassoff, a Philadelphia-based attorney who claims that Microsoft engages in a “scheme to unjustly enrich itself through their fraudulent handling” of his Xbox Live Account, and claims that hundreds of Xbox Live members aren’t getting what they’re paid for, saying, “Microsoft breached that contract by collecting revenues for digital goods and services which were not provided.”.

Microsoft has yet for file a response for the case. The company has been dealing with criticism of the points system for a while, and has said that they might even scrap the whole system and switch to cash purchases. However, there’s no indication that this will happen anytime soon.

Posted: Feb 02, 2010 5:18 am