Xbox Making Massive Changes to Microsoft Rewards Program

gamerant.com:

Xbox has announced big changes coming to the Microsoft Rewards program that include a simplified experience, adjustments to how members earn points, and more. Xbox's redesigned program, now called Rewards with Xbox, is beginning to roll out now.

Microsoft Rewards allows users to earn points that can be redeemed for things like gift cards and sweepstakes entries. To earn points, users simply sign up for the program and fulfill various tasks like playing games, earning achievements, and searching with Bing. Microsoft Rewards has undergone plenty of changes in recent months, some of which have not been received positively by fans, like an update earlier this month that saw gift cards become harder to earn in many regions.

Xbox confirmed that the old Microsoft Rewards app on consoles will shut down on April 15, making the newer Xbox Rewards Hub the primary destination. Here, Microsoft combines all of its rewards experiences into one app where users can set goals, earn points, and redeem them in a streamlined manner. On April 15, the Microsoft Rewards app's Weekly Sets and Weekly Streaks will be replaced with the Xbox Rewards Hub's new Weekly Bonus, which rewards users for playing a game of their choice multiple times per week. A message at the top of the new Rewards with Xbox website reads, «Get rewards for the games you love to play,» which seems to be the emphasis of the revamped program.

In a statement given to Pure Xbox, Microsoft said that many «experiments» would be tested over the coming months that aim to improve the Rewards program further, including new ways to earn and redeem points. For now, users can continue to earn points by playing games on Xbox or the Xbox app for PC, making purchases through the Microsoft Store, completing the program's Daily Set, and more. Microsoft also admitted that members might not receive as many Rewards points initially, but future improvements should help balance this out.

If Rewards members are subscribed to Xbox Game Pass