Microsoft Quietly Nerfs Free Xbox Credit, Users Outraged

Microsoft Rewards has always been an incredibly handy way to build up some free credit.

PlayStation’s failed PlayStation Stars paled in comparison, so I wasn’t entirely surprised to see that shutdown last year.

As I’m sure you know, you can build up points in Microsoft Rewards by completing daily quizzes, running searches through Bing, and simply signing into your account.

Of course, points are also gained during any purchases made on either the Microsoft or Xbox Store.

Before long, you can gain enough points to exchange for free store credit, free games, or even free Xbox Game Pass subscriptions.

Unfortunately, Microsoft Rewards isn’t as generous as it once was with Daily Reward points limits having been nerfed.

Microsoft Reward’s Daily Sets Have Been Nerfed By 50%

As spotted by True Achievements, the Daily Sets limit has seemingly been nerfed by 50% with no official announcement made.

Completing a Daily Set task now rewards users with just five points instead of the 10 that they used to receive.

There are three Daily Set tasks, so that cumulative potential has gone down from 30 points to 15.

Over a year, that reduces users’ maximum earnings from this from 10,950 points to 5,475 points.

It’s far from the only change made to the service lately.

The cost of Xbox gift cards claimable via points was increased from 9,500 to 10,000 points.

Microsoft

It’s still arguably the best gaming rewards service out there. PlayStation currently lacks a reward system, while My Nintendo Rewards doesn’t deliver quite the same incentives.

Even still, Microsoft and Xbox users are tired with these quiet reductions.

“I wonder why they are keeping this thing alive when they clearly want to get rid of it,” wrote Reddit user boersc.

“First they make it worse to the point nobody cares about it anymore, then they remove it,” another added.

“I used to treat the rewards like $5 off coupons when you could get decent points, even without being a sicko who did all the Bing reward challenges and Xbox Rewards stuff daily,” began Solarflare_V9404. “Now it takes forever to get a $1.25 reward. IDGAF about them anymore.”

“Not too long ago, I was essentially using points to pay for my Game Pass Ultimate. Disappointing times we live in,” said anon_acct1312.

It’s true. Gamers’ wallets continue to feel the brunt of major changes in the industry.