With Microsoft Points gone, digital purchases cheaper on Xbox Live than PSN

Microsoft recently abandoned its universal Microsoft Points system for Xbox Live in favour of local currencies. The result, at least for Indian Xbox Live users, is cheaper games.

We compared prices for several games across Xbox Live’s Games on Demand service and the PlayStation Store and, to our surprise, most games are significantly cheaper on the former.

There are certain publisher-specific trends visible – EA’s games are priced almost the same across both, 2K’s games tend to be cheaper on PSN, and Capcom’s games are way cheaper on Xbox Live, but by and large, we noticed games are a lot cheaper on Xbox 360.

Here are a few games that are available on both PSN and Xbox Live Games on Demand, along with the prices on both services:

Saints Row IV
XBL: Rs 2,200
PSN: Rs 2,499

Payday 2
XBL: Rs 1,700
PSN: Rs 2,400

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified
XBL: Rs 2,700
PSN: Rs 2,499

Deadpool
XBL: Rs 2,500
PSN: Rs 2,499

Remember Me
XBL: Rs 1,500
PSN: Rs 3,600

Fuse
XBL: Rs 1,900
PSN: Rs 2,700

Metro: Last Light
XBL: Rs 2,700
PSN: Rs 3,600

Dead Island Riptide
XBL: Rs 2,500
PSN: Rs 3,600

Star Trek
XBL: Rs 1,700
PSN: Rs 2,499

Sniper Ghost Warrior 2
XBL: Rs 1,700
PSN: Rs 2,400

Injustice: Gods Among Us
XBL: Rs 1,900
PSN: Rs 3,600

Bioshock Infinite
XBL: Rs 2,700
PSN: Rs 2,499

Crysis 3
XBL: Rs 2,700
PSN: Rs 2,799

Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel
XBL: Rs 2,700
PSN: Rs 2,799

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
XBL: Rs 1,900
PSN: Rs 1,899

DmC: Devil May Cry
XBL: Rs 1,700
PSN: Rs 1,899

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
XBL: Rs 2,700
PSN: Rs 2,799

Aliens: Colonial Marines
XBL: Rs 1,500
PSN: Rs 1,899

Tomb Raider
XBL: Rs 1,500
PSN: Rs 2,499

PSN does offer certain advantages, of course, such as digital preorders with the ability to preload games, something Microsoft isn’t allowing for Games on Demand just yet. So games do tend to show up on PSN first.

While internet bandwidth is still an issue in India, especially due to restrictive ‘fair usage policies’ put in place by service providers, the increasing game prices at retail thanks to the weak Rupee now make digital purchases an attractive option. As we reported earlier, FIFA 14 and Battlefield 4 are both Rs 700 cheaper via PSN. Batman: Arkham Origins recently went up for preorder as well, and at Rs 2,499, it is Rs 500 cheaper than the retail price.

Sign up for the free MCV India newsletterhere.