Microsoft announced Friday that a new Xbox Live beta program will allow payments with currency rather than Microsoft points, according to reports.
"Unlike previous betas, you don't have to sign-up for this one on a Microsoft site. Instead, gamers in all 41 Xbox Live countries (except Japan) will see an Xbox Beta Program tile on the home hub of the Xbox 360 dashboard," according to PCWorld.
Many Xbox users reportedly experienced frustration relating to points system. Coming off what some media outlets deemed as an unsuccessful PR attempts at E3, Microsoft is trying hard to get back into its users good graces.
Microsoft Points left on a user's account will become local currency "equal to or greater than the marketplace value" of the points, according to a Microsoft FAQ.
Microsoft Points Cards will be redeemable through 2014, and any points earned through Xbox Live Rewards will also transition to local currency.
"The aging Microsoft Points system made sense in the early days of Xbox, since it allowed the company to use a single "currency" worldwide," PCWorld reports. "But now with the widespread availability of digital stores that can handle local transactions like the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store, it's about time Microsoft Points disappeared."
Xbox also announced that a select few customers well be able to experience the update before it becomes available this fall.
"Microsoft is holding an open public beta for its Xbox 360 console fall system update. A limited number of customers across the globe will be allowed to sign up and test drive new console features. Only a set number of customers from each region will be allowed to participate, so sign up early if you want to be involved," according to Microsoft FAQ.
According to multiple reports, Microsoft's next-gen gaming console with be released Nov. 2013 and cost $499 on the United States market.
