Xbox Addict

Microsoft rewards you now for getting achievements

Microsoft has taken notice of many gamers on a personal quest to achieve.... well, more achievements actually.  In honor of your hard spent money flying out the window, Microsoft has decided to institute a reward system for accomplishing "milestones" when it comes to gamerscore.  The details are pretty much straightforward, you spend money on game, you play game, you unlock achievements in game, your gamerscore rises and you get rewarded through Microsoft.  Sounds great right?  Well here are the finer details of the program, along with the fine print that no one wants you to read.

Join Xbox LIVE Rewards and start getting rewarded for doing what you love. As an Xbox LIVE Rewards Gold member, you can unlock MyAchievements and get rewarded based on your Gamerscore! As your Gamerscore rises, so will your rewards and your rank - from CONTENDER to CHAMPION to LEGEND.

CONTENDER - Join Xbox Live Rewards and earn 3000 gamerscore to get a reward.  Which is a special gift during your birthday month.

CHAMPION - Join Xbox Live Rewards and earn 10,000 gamerscore to get a reward PLUS a bonus! Which is a special gift during your birthday month, PLUS 1% rebate on all your Xbox LIVE Marketplace purchases every month!

LEGEND - Join Xbox Live Rewards and earn 10,000 gamerscore to get a reward PLUS a bonus! Which is a special gift during your birthday month, PLUS 2% rebate on all your Xbox LIVE Marketplace purchases every month!

Not a bad system right?  You almost get the feeling you’re watching a Discover credit card commercial, however, take a look at the "fine print".

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(FINE PRINT)

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States (including D.C.), United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Spain and Italy, who are 13 years old or older and who are Xbox LIVE Rewards Gold members prior to the start date of the Offer. Current phase of the Offer ends 6/30/13. For complete Terms and Conditions details, visit http://rewards.xbox.com/myachievements/terms-and-conditions/.
 
* Birthday Gift (approximate retail value ("ARV"): $0.25 USD)

** You must have and maintain an eligible Xbox LIVE Gold membership and the applicable Gamerscore for the appropriate tier by the first of every month in order to be eligible. Limit: Up to 30,000 Microsoft Points can be earned per account for the entire Offer Period. Please see Terms and Conditions for details.

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First, this has to be pointed out, that up to 30,000 Microsoft Points can be earned.  Imagine the amount of money you MUST spend on a 2% rebate to equal 30,000 Microsoft Points??  Next, notice that the current "phase" of the offer ends in June of next year, so who knows what the next "phase" will be, but that means we may hear something new at next years E3? 

All in all, this is a good step forward by Microsoft for the gaming community, and yet another reason to have Xbox LIVE.  Hopefully this plan will grow and become something even bigger and better, and then it will really become a great incentive to play more games!  Baby steps first Microsoft, but you’re heading in the right direction.