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Finally buy XBLA games for friends ... in a convoluted way photo

Those looking to purchase XBLA games as gifts for friends and loved ones can rejoice today, for the option is now yours to enjoy! Of course, it's not quite as simple as you'd imagine, because this is Microsoft and simple isn't in its "big book of doing things to slightly annoy people." No, instead you need to go to Amazon and buy a code for the game. Still ... it's something, right?

Amazon now has an Xbox Live Store, where you can purchase MS Points, Xbox Live subscriptions and XBLA game codes as gifts. It seems like the vast majority, if not all, of the XBLA library is available for purchase, from Braid to UNO

Naturally, it would be far better to be able to do this via, I don't know, our Xbox 360s that are actually connected to Xbox Live and could do this quite easily, but if you're desperate to spread the XBLA wealth, at least you have a rather roundabout way of doing it.

Serious gamers get ready to play! Launched in beta this morning, the Amazon Xbox Live Store allows customers convenient digital access to Xbox LIVE Arcade games, subscription cards and points cards.  Amazon is the first retailer to offer codes for game downloads, which were previously available directly only from the Xbox 360® console or xbox.com. With this feature, Amazon customers can also gift the Xbox LIVE Arcade games, subscription cards, and Microsoft Points cards to friends and family!  No waiting, no packaging, just an on-demand digital gaming delivery!
The store works on a code-redemption system, and here’s the breakdown:
  • Purchase an Xbox Live game from Amazon.com.
  • Immediately view the Xbox LIVE code after purchase (you can email the code to yourself or  if it’s a gift, to your recipient). 
  • The game code resides in the Your Games & Software Library so you can retrieve at any time. 
  • Enter the game code and start playing!







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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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17 comments | showing # 1 to 17
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AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 11:06
AgentMOO
I just saw that this morning on amazon ... Will it work for community games?
anesthetize1212's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 11:21
anesthetize1212
I recently decided to make my first purchase through XBOX live (Castle Crashers) and what a nightmare it was. When I was in grade 8 I thought I would be all "cool" and make my address listed as Ireland for my MSN account and due to that they considered my account international and for some reason I couldnt redeem my MS points that I purchased. It took me over 3.5 hours just to reach someone who was supposed to "assist" me with the situation, but eventually had to add another account and get the free one month of XBOX live just in order to validate my MS points...oh Microsoft.
Qraze's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 11:36
Qraze
when you were in 8th grade, what grade you in now, 9th? that's your own fault for giving them a fake address because you thought it was "cool".
BlackSheep's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 11:44
BlackSheep
AWESOME i get to go to the store, buy a gift for a friend, and then leave it at the store and tell my friend to go pick it up :)
dmgi's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 12:02
dmgi
I'd rather give someone the 1600 point card, so they xan decide, and since the majority of games coast at the 800 point mark they can probably get two. With the exception of Braid and Castle Crashers, of course. This seems like sort of a cheap choice for people, but I guess it might work for promotions and stuff.
dmgi's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 12:02
dmgi
I'd rather give someone the 1600 point card, so they xan decide, and since the majority of games coast at the 800 point mark they can probably get two. With the exception of Braid and Castle Crashers, of course. This seems like sort of a cheap choice for people, but I guess it might work for promotions and stuff.
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 12:41
AgentMOO
Dmgi, it shows more thought and means more when you actually choose a gift. If you have a friend who normally only plays madden and halo, you can get them a type of game they havnt tried like castle crashers instead of points that would end up being spent on map packs and nfl helmet gamer pics.
stafax's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 13:01
stafax
Looks like I'm going to Amazon for whenever I want an XBLA game from now on. This way I can just pay with credit card instead of buying points and having 100 or 200 points left over with nothing I'm interested in to spend it on.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 13:05
vexed alex
Someone should buy me Peggle.
anesthetize1212's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 13:27
anesthetize1212
@ Qraze,
well crafted comment but no. When I went to change the address back to where I actually live it would not allow me to do so for some odd reason. Hence the fact that I was upset. Alot of ppl I know just put phony info for there msn accounts so...also, defending Microsoft? Pretty neat.
Brian Szabelski's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 13:27
Brian Szabelski
Goodbye, XBL Marketplace. Hello, Amazon. I am going to use this from now on since it's 1,000 times easier than having to go buy a stupid points card.
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 13:55
AgentMOO
Alex, i'll buy you dash of destruction and yaris
de BLOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 14:33
de BLOO
I'll get Alex aegis wing too!
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 15:26
Chronic Logic
Oh great, now when people give me a crapply XBLA games they thought was cool, I'd have to put up a smile and say "oh why thank you." Then I'd have to force myself to buy something for him also otherwise I'd look like a dick. Son of a bitch...
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 16:22
Wedge
Or you can just like, buy arcade games for yourself without having to deal with magic Microsoft dollars. That sounds good to me.
SetoChaos's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2009 16:48
SetoChaos
It probably won't work for you anyway Jim, if you have a UK account still.
Slique's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/09/2009 07:32
Slique
I take it these won't work for European accounts, then? Would have been nice to knock a few quid off the prices. :(
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