Today Larry Hryb, Xbox LIVE’s Major Nelson announced that the company is finally facing out Microsoft Points in favor of local currency in the latest Xbox 360 “Fall” dashboard update.
So the next time you turn-on your game console, you’ll be prompted to download the latest update. Follow that, whenever you try to make a purchase, you’ll see that it will happen in your local currency, and if you redeem a Microsoft Points card, the company will convert the points to “real” money.
As part of the recent Xbox 360 system update, Microsoft Points are being retired, and transactions on Xbox 360 are taking place using your local currency* instead of Microsoft Points, offering you a new, convenient way to purchase exciting Xbox content. This change allows you to use a single Microsoft account to purchase content from your Xbox 360, and apps from the Windows Phone Store for users with a Windows Phone 8!
Microsoft Points are being retired globally and currently the new currency change is available in 41 countries. For more information on how the switch could affect you, Microsoft has published an article answering all your questions.
As for the actual software update, sorry to disappoint if you were looking forward to see a brand new dashboard. The new Xbox 360 home screen still looks the same as it did before, but you’ll notice a new green and gray color scheme that is pretty similar to Xbox One colors.
Update: In other related news, a new image surfaced in Reddit shows that Microsoft will also be releasing a white version of Xbox One. But the only catch is that you have to be employed by the software giant to get one. In the image below you’ll also see the game console with an engraving that reads “I MADE THIS” — just a little something to make the team proud of such achievement.
In addition the bundle that employees will get also include: a year subscription to Xbox Live and several games. Not bad!
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].