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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 złoty, and buying a new console is a significant expense for many people. However, it appears that Microsoft is looking for ways to make purchases easier for its users. The latest information indicates that the company is working on an instalment payment system directly in the Xbox store. The solution would utilise popular financial services already known from many online stores.
Buying games and equipment 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 the user to split the cost of the purchase into several instalments rather than paying the total amount at once. According to the information found, PayPal is expected to allow payments to be spread over four interest-free instalments made every two weeks. There was also a mention of the possibility of paying for purchases over a period of up to 24 months. However, additional fees or interest may apply in this case. Klarna is set to offer payment split into three parts regulated every 30 days. Detailed terms have yet to be revealed. Microsoft has not officially confirmed the existence of the new feature. It is also unclear which countries will receive it first. The mere appearance of the relevant entries in the code suggests, however, that the project is already in an advanced stage of preparation. It is therefore possible that an official announcement will be made in the coming months. For many gamers, this could be one of the most practical changes in the Xbox store in a long time.
Rising game prices may accelerate the implementation of a new feature
The gaming industry has been struggling with rising production costs for some time. As a result, the prices of new titles are regularly increasing. More and more releases cost even 70 or 80 dollars, and a similar trend is also visible in Europe. Additionally, players must contend with higher prices for consoles, accessories, and additional services. In such a situation, the ability to spread expenditures over instalments may prove attractive to many users. Microsoft has previously attempted to lower the entry threshold 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 financing for individual purchases. This could be particularly significant for the launch of major hits or new devices. However, it is important to remember that deferred payments do not mean a lower price for the product. In many cases, the user will still have to cover the full purchase cost, merely spread over time. Some options may also involve additional fees. Nevertheless, this solution may 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 may soon add the option for instalment payments for games and hardware to the Xbox store. The discovery of entries in the code of the platform's website has led to speculation about this new feature. Integration with Klarna and PayPal would allow purchases to be spread over several months, which may appeal to many gamers in times of rising prices. However, we will have to wait for official confirmation from Microsoft.
source: digitaltrends
