Introducing the Xbox LIVE Rewards program

It’s a brand new way for Xbox LIVE members* to earn Microsoft points for doing things they already do on Xbox LIVE. Sign up and start earning Microsoft Points by watching movies and sports, playing games and more.  Plus, when you sign-up for Xbox LIVE Gold, or renew your membership you’ll earn even more. Sound good? We’re officially kicking off the program later today, but if you want to get in early hit the link below.

Get more details and join for free at Rewards.xbox.com

*This program is currently available in the US and UK only     
 
 

There are other countries than US, UK and Australia.

" There are other countries than US, UK and Australia. "

" There are other countries than US, UK and Australia. "

In fairness man, no country bar the UK or the US has access to the rewards program at the moment. 
 
Also, for the most part the rewards are poo (figuratively speaking). So it's not that great a loss really.

I was in the rewards program beta.

" @foggel said:

" There are other countries than US, UK and Australia. "

Australians often think there isn't. "

Yep, that's just the way it goes. Even though I live in the US, I know that Microsoft only cares for it's own people. You would think if they want to sell more consoles than the Wii and PS3 in other countries, they would offer this program as well.

Nah dude. It's Wednesday future man.

Do you think it will eventually come to Canada?

We get it MS doesn't care about Australia, neither does the rest of the world.

" There are other countries than US, UK and Australia. "

Kinect doesn't even work with their strange language. Why would Microsoft want to reward them? 
 
Poor Australia. You get the short end of the stick on absolutely every video game related thing ever. I feel so bad for you.

" There are other countries than US, UK and Australia. "

" In Australia:  - No Kinect voice support - No warning about no Kinect voice support - No Last.fm - No Netflix - No Xbox Indie Games channel - Video marketplace 1080p downloads are 7-10GB : 3GB over montly download limits - No notice of delays of games from developers/publisher until after game has been delayed - No guarantee violent game that looks awesome won't be banned - No current gen game priced under $80 regardless of AUD parity with USD   - No current gen Steam games reduced regardless of AUD parity with USD   - No Rock Band 2 released here and no reason given - No Rock Band 3 instruments released here on shelves and no reason given - No R rating for games    - No random Xbox Live arcade released here (Tecmo Bowl Throwback etc) and no reason given) - No multiplayer matchmaking that isn't total garbage - No Limited Edition of Beatles Rock Band released under $350.00 and no reason given  - Nobody in Australia cares about anything I've listed - Nobody outside of Australia cares about anything I've listed     - No Xbox Live Rewards program          "

US Pricing (from Amazon)
Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar Controller: $149.99
Rock Band 3 Wireless Pro-Drum and Pro-Cymbals Kit: $129.99
Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard: $79.99 
 
UK Pricing (from Game UK)
Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar Controller: £119.99
Rock Band 3 Wireless Pro-Drum and Pro-Cymbals Kit: £119.99
Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard: £69.99 

Australian Pricing (From EB Games, only via pre-order)
Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar Controller: $288
Rock Band 3 Wireless Pro-Drum and Pro-Cymbals Kit: $288
Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard: $138    
 
 
- Mark Ecko's Getting Up banned 
- Risen banned 
- Manhunt banned (ten months after release because of UK media story) 
- Left 4 Dead 2 banned, then censored 
- Every console disc-based GTA game since 3 censored 
- Dark Sector banned 
- Fallout 3 submitted to ratings board, rejected because of morphine use, worldwide version of Fallout 3 changed to Med-X because of Aus ratings board
- R rating change requires unanimous approval from all 6 state's Attorney's General, one of them says no - nothing happens 
- Attorneys general meet only once a year and have delayed decision on R rating for years  
- Bringing up R rating to any politician makes you appear like a child who has no real world cares 
- Polictians with ties to religious groups constantly refer to R rating as 'opening floodgates to depraved, cruel sex games'. Constituents have no idea, believe and vote for them.
- Video games are generally frowned upon, whereas any form of sport and drinking until blindness and glassing 'cunts' generally accepted and actively encouraged as 'cutting loose'.  
- Sportsmen revered as icons and role models for children, despite regular sex scandal and drinking problems, while any reference to video games is regarded as a bad influence on children and cause of violence in any news story involving child violence.

" In Australia:  - No Kinect voice support - No warning about no Kinect voice support - No Last.fm - No Netflix - No Xbox Indie Games channel - Video marketplace 1080p downloads are 7-10GB : 3GB over montly download limits - No notice of delays of games from developers/publisher until after game has been delayed - No guarantee violent game that looks awesome won't be banned - No current gen game priced under $80 regardless of AUD parity with USD   - No current gen Steam games reduced regardless of AUD parity with USD   - No Rock Band 2 released here and no reason given - No Rock Band 3 instruments released here on shelves and no reason given - No R rating for games    - No random Xbox Live arcade games released here (Tecmo Bowl Throwback etc) and no reason given - No multiplayer matchmaking that isn't total garbage - No Limited Edition of Beatles Rock Band released under $350.00 and no reason given  - Nobody in Australia cares about anything I've listed - Nobody outside of Australia cares about anything I've listed     - No Xbox Live Rewards program          "

" In Australia:  - No Kinect voice support - No warning about no Kinect voice support - No Last.fm - No Netflix - No Xbox Indie Games channel - Video marketplace 1080p downloads are 7-10GB : 3GB over montly download limits - No notice of delays of games from developers/publisher until after game has been delayed - No guarantee violent game that looks awesome won't be banned - No current gen game priced under $80 regardless of AUD parity with USD   - No current gen Steam games reduced regardless of AUD parity with USD   - No Rock Band 2 released here and no reason given - No Rock Band 3 instruments released here on shelves and no reason given - No R rating for games    - No random Xbox Live arcade games released here (Tecmo Bowl Throwback etc) and no reason given - No multiplayer matchmaking that isn't total garbage - No Limited Edition of Beatles Rock Band released under $350.00 and no reason given  - Nobody in Australia cares about anything I've listed - Nobody outside of Australia cares about anything I've listed     - No Xbox Live Rewards program          "

The limitations on Australian video games seems pretty strange to me considering the fact that Australia is not without beer, porn, and/or violence. But what do I know? I don't even understand Australian football.

my friend from Australia has never mentioned video games being frowned upon? none of the Aussies I know mentioned it.

"my friend from Australia has never mentioned video games being frowned upon? none of the Aussies I know mentioned it. "

 - No current gen game priced under $80 regardless of AUD parity with USD    

" Do you think it will eventually come to Canada? "

Since I'm not getting all of the benefits of Xbox Live, shouldn't I be paying less? This is bullshit. 

" @xyzygy said:

" Do you think it will eventually come to Canada? "

We weren't included? Usually we're included in this stuff even when it only says US. "

" There are other countries than US, UK and Australia. "

"@Rayfield said:

 - No current gen game priced under $80 regardless of AUD parity with USD    

 Sure they are, you just have to know where to look. Just a couple of weeks ago I walked into JB Hi-Fi and bought a new - not pre-owned - copy of Red Faction: Guerilla for 25 bones, and it only came out 18 months ago. Some new releases were priced at $69.95. Even saw Enslaved for $59.  We pay more, sure, and that kinda sucks balls, but thats just the drawback from living in such an isolated part of the globe. But places like JB do really well with their pricing all things considered, and so long as you don't go to EB, you can avoid feeling completely ripped off. "

" Yep, that's just the way it goes. Even though I live in the US, I know that Microsoft only cares for it's own people. You would think if they want to sell more consoles than the Wii and PS3 in other countries, they would offer this program as well. "

There are other countries than US, UK and Australia.

" @foggel said:

" There are other countries than US, UK and Australia. "

PROVE IT! "

Not like an Aussie to bitch and moan...

I feel sorry for the dudes who have had a raw deal on their Xbox 360 stuff due to living outside of the UK and US.

" @Royce_McCutcheon said:

"@Rayfield said:

 - No current gen game priced under $80 regardless of AUD parity with USD    

 Sure they are, you just have to know where to look. Just a couple of weeks ago I walked into JB Hi-Fi and bought a new - not pre-owned - copy of Red Faction: Guerilla for 25 bones, and it only came out 18 months ago. Some new releases were priced at $69.95. Even saw Enslaved for $59.  We pay more, sure, and that kinda sucks balls, but thats just the drawback from living in such an isolated part of the globe. But places like JB do really well with their pricing all things considered, and so long as you don't go to EB, you can avoid feeling completely ripped off. "

Yeah, dudes who hang out internet forums know that but every Johnny Q. Punchclock who wants Need For Speed Hot Pursuit goes to EB and ends up paying $100+ because "Well, I spose that what it costs, I dunno." As well as Harvey Norman/Myer who charge $120 for goddamn near every new game.   It's a mess. Whereas the US has a flat rate everywhere of $60 or less.  And I know what you're saying about the isolation thing but NAH. This is 2010. World Wide Web etc. I'm not living in some tin shack on the Nullabor here, I live in a major metro city and as far as video games are concerned, it's no different from living on Easter Island.  Australia isn't a third world country ffs. I don't live in Fallujah. I'm sick of US/UK video game publishers/developers pissing and moaning about "Ohh Australia, it's so far away, the distance makes me want to go poopie!". EFF THAT. WE'RE PEOPLE TOO.  "