Topic: Amazon launches Xbox Live store

[idolminds]

Linky

I know what you're thinking, why buy online through Amazon when you can buy directly from your Xbox? The answer is you don't have to deal with MS Points. When buying from Amazon you choose the game you want, pay the exact cost in real money, and you get a code for the game. No more left over points or anything. Sweet.

[K-man]

I like it.  I will probably still do the MS points though.  I mean even if I have leftover points I inevitably end up using them on something.  Even the odd point numbers eventually add up to something spendable.

[Cobra951]

True, but that's like a tax "refund".  People pay too much up front, then are delighted to get the overpayment back later.  They could have been doing something else with that money all along, instead of letting someone else use it all along.

[K-man]

Having 2 or 3 bucks worth of points in an account isn't going to kill me.

[Cobra951]

Having $5 bucks worth of leftover points let me get Alien Hominid on sale last week.  So I shouldn't complain.

[wizall]

You can stock up on all those amazing themes and gamer pictures that you've been waiting to get.

[Cobra951]

Has never happened.  Never will happen.

[Quemaqua]

I don't buy anything through Xbox Live, but if I ever took the thing online I would most assuredly use the Amazon service over Microsoft's bullshit.  In a heartbeat.

[K-man]

You can stock up on all those amazing themes and gamer pictures that you've been waiting to get.

To date the only theme I've ever purchased is the Penny Arcade one that came out at launch.

Ultimately I just prefer the original theme that came with the console.  I might be swayed if i could preview how they'd look

[W7RE]

I use the Gears of War Destroyed Beauty theme. You can preview a lot of them here. (scan the pages, the front page hasn't been updated in a while)


Last time I had spare money I bought like $20 worth of points and have left them sitting there. I'm going to buy Psychonauts, Symphony of the Night, or maybe The Dishwasher, Castle Crashers, I don't know. I've been waiting because I don't want to buy one until I'm going to actually play it.

[K-man]

I stocked up when Target had a sale on cards.  I've got 800 points left.

[wizall]

I was being sarcastic, but I do have some themes. I picked up the Katamari and Fallout 3 themes, which are both pretty slick.  But aside from that, I never buy any of that crap. I've pretty much only spent the small amounts on the scenario packs for Civ Rev, which have been well worth it.

[K-man]

I was being sarcastic, but I do have some themes. I picked up the Katamari and Fallout 3 themes, which are both pretty slick.  But aside from that, I never buy any of that crap. I've pretty much only spent the small amounts on the scenario packs for Civ Rev, which have been well worth it.

I got the sarcasm.  But I truly never saw the value in stuff like gamer pics and themes.  I mean they're nifty, and if I'm a huge fan of something I'd consider getting it.  But I certainly don't get the people that will buy all kinds of themes. 

[wizall]

I'd be more inclined, on occasion, if you could preview them.

[idolminds]

I find it amazing they charge for them when they should be given away as promo material.

"Dude, whats your icon/theme from? It looks awesome!" "Oh, its <GAME NAME>. You should check it out."

[Xessive]

I find it amazing they charge for them when they should be given away as promo material.

"Dude, whats your icon/theme from? It looks awesome!" "Oh, its <GAME NAME>. You should check it out."

The marvel of marketing and sales: daylight robbery. "They can advertise for us AND pay us to do it!" *giggles & chuckles*

[W7RE]

I know I use a premium theme I bought, but I'm still not a fan of having to buy them. Basically I decided I didn't care for any of the default themes except for "Night", and that I only sort of liked. So I found that thread with pics and chose 1 to buy, and have used it since. I've never bought an gamer pic though. I got my 360 right after NXE came out, and have used a pic of my avatar the whole time.

Downloadable games I have no problem with. I bought Megaman 9 and Braid and I'm glad. I also bought all but the most recent Gears 2 and Halo 3 map packs.



I guess unless Amazon offers special deals it could be cool (I doubt they will though). Or if I'm trying to squeeze that last penny from my bank account and have to go through Amazon to keep from overbuying points, then I might use it.
Oh I just thought of something. I recall Cobra talking about it being a royal pain in the ass to cancel your Live subscription once MS has your info. Well you can buy prepaid gamecards, but they get your info when you buy points. Not if you use Amazon though.

[K-man]

An unexpected benefit of Amazon's store?

Sales

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001LRQ8SE/ref=nosim/?tag=

[Quemaqua]

I hope this completely obliterates Microsoft and forces them to start acting like a real legitimate business instead of the fucking Playskool Fun Imaginary Monopoly Money Store.

[Pugnate]

Also known as FPFIMMS.

[Cobra951]

I'm using the theme from The Maw right now.  It's unlocked as you play the game.  The artwork is pretty cool.  It's fine as a game bonus.  I would never buy something like this.

[K-man]

Wow, Doom is on sale for 2.97 and Pacman CE is 4.97.  Just bought Pacman.  Doom is an absolute STEAL at that price.

I've changed my mind.  I like the amazon game store.

[Cobra951]

Wow!  You have to get Pac Man CE for that price.  That's the real steal.  Doom is the same game it always was on PC, minus the opportunity to update it with better visual tech and mouselook.  PM CE is a hell of an update from the author himself.