X3F reader Shafnitz sent word that his Microsoft points that he won for completing the Xbox Rewards challenge are expiring. After winning the Old Spice Experience Challenge at level three, Shafnitz won a bunch of stuff including a 200 Microsoft points code. After redeeming the code and going on his merry way, weeks went by and he recently got the urge to take a look at his account online. And, to his surprise, he was smacked in the face with a points expiration notice as seen above. Expiring Microsoft points, who ever heard of that? Well, according to Microsoft's FAQ it states that "purchased points don't expire" but that "any points you get through promotions can have expiration dates. Typically, points expire within thirty days of the date you get them".
Update 1: Shafnitz informed us that his expiring points problem was probably due to a contest he won over at the Gamerscore Blog and not from the Xbox Rewards giveaway. Oops on his behalf. So, expiring points from the Xbox Rewards program may not be true, but there are still expiring Microsoft points out there. You've been warned.
If you've been participating in the Xbox Rewards program then take a look at your account. HHHawk sent word that he received his prizes in code form to redeem on Xbox Live. So, if you've completed the Old Spice Experience Challenge and pressed "I'm Finished", you can redeem whatever goods you were promised. To locate your prize codes, login into the Xbox Rewards website and make your way to the "My Xbox Rewards" section. Then, head to the "My Rewards" section where, if you completed the challenge, you'll find codes for your prizes. We still aren't sure about the physical prizes that the level three players earned, but hopefully someone can shed light onto that situation. Remember, the Old Spice Experience Challenge has been extended until April 22nd, so get to work if you haven't earned your 1500 Gamerscore.
It has been a while since we've received free themes or gamer pictures from the XBLM, but that drought is no more. Jump onto Xbox Live and navigate to the gamer pictures and themes section, new releases of course. There you'll find three free downloads today. First up is from the the new 
