It's official, Microsoft is going to make your gamerscore worth something...literally.
"Xbox Rewards offers casual and hardcore gamers alike the chance to earn actual rewards for doing what they enjoy—playing games, earning achievements, and having fun. Xbox Rewards is a free program, but in order to register you will need to have a valid Windows Live™ ID with your Xbox Live® gamercard linked.
The program is launching in the U.S. only, and you must be 13 years or older to participate."
You have to be thirteen or older? Perfect! You'll need a gold or silver account - easy! Now, how do you get free stuff?
Microsoft has a three-tiered approach to gamerscoring:
- Level 1 (0 – 4,999 annual Gamerscore): You are developing your skills and gaining experience. Take some time to get used to the program and learn your way around. The Challenges will typically be easier and the rewards smaller.
- Level 2 (5,000 – 9,999 annual Gamerscore): We are going to turn up the heat a bit. You have proved that you know how to play and are willing to put in the gaming time to reap the benefits. The Challenges will get a bit more difficult. Never fear, the reward value goes up as well.
- Level 3 (over 10,000 annual Gamerscore): This is an arena filled with the who's who of gaming. We don't want to claim that Level 3 is an exclusive club, but if you find yourself winning Challenges here, you've obviously pulled out the big guns, so enjoy while it lasts.
The first gamerscore challenge will be as follows:
"Old Spice is teaming with Xbox on the first Xbox Rewards Challenge to prove that Experience is Everything. Starting February 12, you will be challenged to increase your Gamerscore by 1,500 or more before April 12. Successfully complete the Challenge and get a Rewards Package*, and Old Spice will give you the gift of experience—all Level 1 and 2 participants will receive a level upgrade for 2007."
Yes, the event is sponsored - how else would Microsoft afford to give you free stuff? The rewards drop you into three levels:
- Level 1
- The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami (Retail Value $5.00)
- Exclusive Old Spice Level 1 Xbox Rewards gamer picture
- An experience upgrade to Xbox Rewards Level 2
- Level 2
- The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami
- Exclusive Old Spice Level 2 Xbox Rewards gamer picture
- 100 Microsoft Points
- An experience upgrade to Xbox Rewards Level 3
- Level 3
- The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami
- Exclusive Old Spice Level 3 Xbox Rewards gamer picture
- 200 Microsoft Points
- Old Spice T-Shirt (Estimated Retail Value $10.00)
- A copy of Fuzion Frenzy 2 game (rated: E10+) (Estimated Retail Value $50.00)
Many gamers do not find gamerscores interesting and do not care about achieving these higher valued numbers just to show off their gaming prowess. Does this change your mind? Microsoft is making a great move here, it will force gamers to buy and rent more games and drive sales on the consoles and games.
Many hardcore gamers are competitive folks and competing for an end-goal that is more than just "a number" may be a highly worthy cause. For those casual gamers? Maybe this will breath live into games you've put aside in attempt to gain some additional achievements?
This is the first challenge that Microsoft has laid out for the gamerscore - to see more checkout xbox.com
Update_1: Tanks commentary (as he submitted a like article)-
"There is more to come with this program. Microsoft plans on having other challenges setup depending on the community reaction to this first challenge.
Microsoft will be monitoring the contest making sure everyone has fun unlocking points and hopefully weeding out saved game cheaters. Official rules will be posted on February 12th and registration will be open at www.xbox.com/rewards The challenge is open to gamers 13 years or older and only to legal residents of the good ol’USofA. Only 1 reward per person and you must have a valid gamertag and it must be linked into xbox.com’s passport system."
