Early in 2012, rumors started hitting the Internet that Microsoft was finally going to retire its Microsoft Points currency system for buying some content on the Xbox 360 console. Microsoft didn't comment on these rumors at the time. Earlier this week, it was reported that real world currency would be used as the default for buying content such as videos and music for Windows 8-based devices.

Now The Verge reports that, according to a Microsoft spokesperson, Windows 8 will indeed allow for real world money to be used for buying video and music content for Windows 8 devices, with Microsoft Points remaining as an option. However, the spokesperson added, "Microsoft Points continue to be the currency for purchasing content for the Xbox 360 console."

Microsoft seem to want to keep this outdated and proprietary Microsoft Points system in place, at least for the Xbox 360 console, while at the same time giving Windows 8 owners a way to pay for much of the same content with real world money. Perhaps Microsoft is simply waiting for the launch of the Xbox 360's successor to completely ditch Microsoft Points once and for all. In any case, this current situation is bound to cause confusion for owners of both an Xbox 360 and a Windows 8 device.