What do points mean?
… prizes?
It’s funny how a feature of one product might be horribly maligned, while the exact same principle applied to another product (which enjoys rather more goodwill) doesn’t cause the batting of even a single eyelid.
- On the Zune Marketplace, one buys ‘Zune points’ which are redeemed against track downloads.
- On Nintendo’s Virtual Console, one buys ‘Wii points’ which are redeemed against game downloads.
Andy Ihnatko, in an article for the Chicago Sun Times entitled Avoid the loony Zune says:
…the Zune Marketplace doesn’t even take real money, proving that on the Zune Planet there’s no operation so simple that it can’t be turned into a confusing ordeal. The Marketplace only accepts Zune Points, with an individual track typically costing the equivalent of the iTunes-standard 99 cents.
Personally, I don’t like points systems. I think they create a layer of obfuscation between the user and the purchase, making it a little less clear just how much money is being spent. Perhaps this is to make the user feel like they aren’t spending real money. Nintendo is just as guilty of this though.
I’m mulling over a points system in my own project, but as a reward scheme. Direct purchases are made with “goode olde-fashioned” pounds.
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November 27th, 2006 at 9:47 pm
“Perhaps this is to make the user feel like they aren’t spending real money”
A-la Monty Credits?
I feel the whole “credits” or “points” system, as you say, works in some places but not others… If the points are something that you get rewarded, and aren’t the exact amount you put in (like Morrison’s Mileage points) then sure…
If it’s a scenario where you can buy points, and then use some for a bit - return later and use some more (Gaming - stuff like that), then it’s neat
If it’s an online shop, then money all the way
And I suddenly realise that I’m stating the obvious here -_-’
Also:
1) I’m all interested in what your new website project is that you talk of.
2) If you don’t want me commenting on your site, tell me
November 28th, 2006 at 11:07 am
I actually don’t mind it on Monty; to me that feels like putting coins down an arcade machine for multiple continues. It would be a total pain in the ass if you had to keep re-buying.
Arcade tip no. 517: Never play against the Japanese kid at Street Fighter.
I imagine in a lot of cases it’s so the site owner can avoid lots of credit card processing fees.
The project I refer to is a personal one, that I hope to have up and running… realistically… by Spring 2007. I’m deliberately coy about it on here for the time being, but I’ll be posting the first round of logo ideas later on. It’s going to be a resource for creative and IT freelancers.
You’re quite welcome to comment on my inane witterings