Xbox One might be all the rage, now that the console has been announced, but Microsoft had a few surprises and changes in store for the Xbox 360 during their press conference. Among these are the eradication of Microsoft Points, a re-designed Xbox 360.

Starting in November, when the Xbox One will launch in North America, Microsoft will do away with their preparatory digital currency, Microsoft Points, replacing it with real world prices similar to Steam & PSN.

Up until this items on the marketplace were prices in blocks of 400 / 800 or 1200 Microsoft Points, with the equivalent value of these amount in USD being: $5, $10 and $15. Complaints from users in Canada arose a few years ago after the Canadian Dollar rose to parity with the USD and Microsoft failed to change the price of Microsoft Points to reflect this. The end result was that those who have bought point cards in Canada are paying more when compared to their American counterparts.

Also of surprise was that Microsoft will release a second re-design of the Xbox 360, which is smaller than the initial ‘slim’ re-designed console released in 2010. The new design looks strikingly similar to the Xbox One (re-design pictured above).

News/ Image Source: Kotaku