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The costs associated with gaming have been rising for several years across almost all platforms. The prices of new games are increasingly exceeding the equivalent of several hundred dollars, and purchasing a new console represents a significant expense for many people. However, it seems that Microsoft is looking for ways to make shopping easier for its users. The latest information indicates that the company is working on an instalment payment system directly in the Xbox store. This solution would utilise popular financial services already known from many online stores.
Buying games and gear without paying the full amount upfront
Information about the new feature emerged after analysing the code of the Xbox website. The discovered entries suggest that Microsoft is preparing integration with Klarna and PayPal platforms. Both services offer a "buy now, pay later" payment model. This allows users to split the cost of their purchase into several instalments instead of paying the entire amount in one go. According to the discovered information, PayPal is set to enable payments to be spread over four interest-free instalments made every two weeks. There was also mention of the possibility of repaying purchases over 24 months. In this case, however, additional fees or interest may apply. Klarna, on the other hand, is said to offer payment in three parts regulated every 30 days. Detailed terms have not yet been revealed. Microsoft has not officially confirmed the existence of the new feature. It is also unclear which countries will be the first to receive it. The mere appearance of the relevant entries in the code, however, suggests that the project is already at an advanced stage of preparation. Therefore, an official announcement may occur in the coming months. For many gamers, this could be one of the most practical changes in the Xbox store in quite some time.
Rising game prices may accelerate the implementation of a new feature
The gaming industry has been grappling with rising production costs for some time now. As a result, the prices of new titles are regularly increasing. More and more releases cost as much as $70 or $80, and a similar trend is also visible in Europe. Additionally, players have to contend with higher prices for consoles, accessories, and additional services. In this situation, the ability to spread out expenses over instalments may prove attractive to many users. Microsoft has previously attempted to lower the entry barrier to its ecosystem. One example is the development of the Game Pass service, which allows access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee. Now, the company may take another step and facilitate the financing of individual purchases. This could be particularly significant with the launch of major hits or new devices. However, it is worth remembering that deferred payments do not mean a lower price for the product. In many cases, the user will still have to cover the full cost of the purchase, merely spread over time. Some options may also involve additional fees. Nevertheless, this solution could increase the availability of more expensive products for some gamers. If Microsoft decides to officially implement the feature, the Xbox store will become another major digital platform offering modern forms of purchase financing.
Microsoft might soon add the option for payment plans for games and hardware to the Xbox store. The clue to the new feature came from entries found in the code of the platform's website. Integration with Klarna and PayPal would allow purchases to be spread over several months, which could interest many gamers in times of rising prices. However, we still have to wait for official confirmation from Microsoft.
source: digitaltrends
