FAQ: LIVE Marketplace on the Web

About Microsoft Points

What are Microsoft Points?

Microsoft Points are used to purchase content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web and Xbox console. You can purchase bundles of Microsoft Points, which can be applied to your LIVE Marketplace purchases. Microsoft Points cards are also available at many game retailers. Microsoft Point cards can be added to your Xbox LIVE account in Redeem Tokens on the web or directly on your console.

Where can I see my Microsoft Points balance?

You can view your points balance by signing into your account and viewing the My Accounts Summary page. You can also sign in and see your points balance in the top right corner of the marketplace main navigation bar.

Purchasing Content for Xbox 360

How do I purchase from LIVE Marketplace on the Web?

Once you've decided on the content you want, simply click the Download to Xbox 360 button to start the purchase flow. If you are not signed in, you will be asked to log into your Xbox LIVE account. If you do not have an Xbox LIVE account, you can create an account in a few easy steps. If the item you are buying requires points, you must first purchase Microsoft Points and will be asked to provide your billing and credit card information. If you have enough Microsoft Points, you can simply confirm your purchase and the item will be added to your Download Queue.

Can I redeem a code using Marketplace on the Web?

Yes, you can redeem codes for Gold subscriptions, Microsoft Points, or content using the Redeem Code feature on the web. Your account will be updated upon successful redemption of subscription or point codes. If you are redeeming a code for content (for example an arcade game), the item will be added to your Download Queue upon successful redemption.

Games on Demand

Can I use my credit card to purchase Games on Demand? What about other content on Xbox LIVE?

Since Games on Demand tend to be offered at a higher price point than other content on Xbox LIVE, we've added the choice to purchase with either Microsoft Points or a credit card. All other Xbox LIVE content will continue to be purchased using Microsoft Points.

How can I access the game manuals for these titles?

The game manuals for Games on Demand titles can be viewed, downloaded and printed from Web Marketplace on Xbox.com. Simply locate the Games on Demand title in Web Marketplace, and select See Game Manual.

Avatar Marketplace

How do I purchase items for my avatar?

Browse Avatar Marketplace on Xbox.com for items that express yourself and your sense of style. When you find an item you like, select the Download to Xbox 360 button to purchase it. The avatar item will be added to your Download Queue and will download to your console the next time you power it on and sign in using the same Xbox LIVE account you used to purchase the item.

How do I put an avatar item on my avatar after I have purchased it?

Once your avatar item has downloaded to your console, you can find and wear the item by selecting your profile in the My Xbox channel, then selecting Customize Avatar, and then Change My Style in the Avatar Editor.

Can I purchase a woman's item if I have a male avatar? And vice versa?

Some avatar items are made for only one body type. For example, a men's shirt will only fit a male avatar body. During purchase, Web Marketplace will verify that the avatar item will fit your avatar body type.

Download Queue

What is the Download Queue?

The Download Queue is a web-based view of items that will be downloaded to your Xbox 360 console. It is similar to the Active Downloads feature on your console dashboard. Each Xbox LIVE account has its own Download Queue. Items you purchase from Xbox LIVE Marketplace are automatically placed in your Download Queue. You can perform other actions such as viewing the status of your downloads, moving items to the top of the Download Queue, or removing items.

How do I remove items from my Download Queue?

You can remove items from your Download Queue by selecting the Remove link next to the item. A message will appear for you to confirm this action. Removing an item from your Download Queue does not remove the item from the Xbox 360 console if it is already downloaded. It also does not refund Microsoft Points for the purchase as all Xbox LIVE Marketplace purchases are final sales.

What does a status of "Download Pending" mean in the Download Queue?

This means the top-most item in your Download Queue is awaiting download by your Xbox 360 console. The download will begin the next time you power your console on and sign in to Xbox LIVE.

What does a status of "Download in Progress" mean in the Download Queue?

This means the top-most item in your Download Queue is downloading to your Xbox 360 console. If you are on your console, you can view progress of this item by navigating to Guide Button > Marketplace > Active Downloads.

What does a status of "Not Enough Space" mean in the Download Queue?

This means the top-most item in your Download Queue is too large to download to your Xbox 360 console. To clear space or view available space on your Xbox 360 console, go to System Settings in the My Xbox area and select Memory.  Follow the on screen steps to select the storage device and remove items that you no longer wish to have on yourXbox 360 console.

Downloading to Xbox 360

How do I download my purchases to Xbox 360?

Upon confirming purchase of an item in LIVE Marketplace on the Web, the item is added to your Download Queue. Next, power your console on and sign in using the same Xbox LIVE account you used to purchase the item. Items will automatically download to the console in the order specified in your Download Queue.

How long does it take to download items to my Xbox 360 console?

Download time primarily depends on the size of the item and your Internet connection speed. For some connection types, local network traffic can also affect download times.

Are downloaded items stored on my personal computer?

Items purchased from LIVE Marketplace on the Web are downloaded only to Xbox 360 consoles.

I play games on multiple consoles. Where will my downloads go?

Content will automatically download to the first console you sign into after completing a purchase on the web. If you decide to sign into a second console and you have content in the Download Queue, the items will appear in the console’s Active Downloads feature and you have the option to download content to the second console. If you choose not to download the content to the second console, the content will remain in the Download Queue until you sign into your first console.

Content that you purchased and downloaded to the second console can be downloaded again to your first console using the Purchase History feature.

Please Note: Changing the download location does not change the usage restrictions on the content. Usage restrictions are applied to the first console the download is started or played on.

Can I play my purchases on my computer?

Items purchased from Xbox LIVE Marketplace are designed for use only on Xbox 360 consoles.

Purchase History

Where can I see items I have purchased?

All items you have purchased from Xbox LIVE Marketplace (including free items and items you purchased using your console) will appear in your Purchase History.Your purchases are grouped under three categories: Games, Game Demos, and Videos.

How do I download items I previously purchased from the web?

Go to your Purchase History and select the Add to Queue button next to the item* you want to download again. You can also locate items* you own in Xbox LIVE Marketplace and click the Download to Xbox 360 button to add the item to your Download Queue.

*Please Note: Video rentals can only be downloaded again using the console, and only if it is within the rental period.

What is the difference between buying and renting?

Items that you buy are available for re-download to your console as many times as you like. This means you can delete these items from your hard drive and download them when you want to use them again. Some examples of items you buy include games, add-on content and themes. Rentals, such as movies, are only available for your use for a specified period. Once the rental period has expired, you must rent the item again to use it.

How do I return an item purchased from Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web?

All items purchased or rented from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, using the Web or your Xbox 360 console, are non-refundable.

Gold Exclusives and Other Questions

What are Gold Exclusive items?

Gold members get early access to select downloads, trailers, videos and more. If you are currently a Silver member, you can upgrade to Gold here.

How do I send a link to a friend?

To tell a friend about a specific item, select the “Send a Link” tab for the item. This will reveal a URL or web address that you can copy and paste into an e-mail or instant message.

Is the same content available for download in all countries?

Available content varies by country.  Content is tailored for each specific Xbox LIVE Marketplace locale, and most content providers limit what countries their content may be distributed in.  So, certain content and services can only be purchased and downloaded to consoles in specific countries.  Please see the Xbox LIVE Marketplace catalog for your country to find out what is available in your locale.

Where can I see the latest games and videos on LIVE Marketplace?

The latest content is featured in the New Arrivals lists on the main Game Marketplace and Video Marketplace pages.