Microsoft Offers $65 of Free Entertainment with Lumia Purchase

Microsoft today provided a new incentive for any budding Nokia Lumia Icon, 1020 or 1520 customers: It is providing 9 free Gameloft games valued at $40 plus a $25 voucher that can be spent on Xbox Video movies and TV shows. The promotion runs through the end of June and is available in 39 countries.

The free games are available in the Gameloft Gift area of the App Social app that comes preinstalled on Lumia devices. The games include some heavy hitters too, including Asphalt 7 Heat, Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles, Brain Challenge, Earthworm Jim, Let's Golf 2, Modern Combat 4, N.O.V.A. 3, Order & Chaos and Shark Dash.

(Tip: It's possible these are currently free for anyone with a Lumia, using the links above, as they appear to be free in the Store. It's worth checking.)

To get the voucher, you need to follow a few steps. First, you can visit the Nokia Collection in the Windows Phone Store (it's on the Categories page in Windows Phone 8.1, if you're using that) and download the Gift Voucher app. (You have until July 15 to do so.) When you use the app, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account. A unique voucher code will be sent to the app and when you tap "Copy and Activate," the Wallet app will load.

In Wallet, choose the Add app bar button and then "Add Microsoft Gift Card." In the Redeem Microsoft Gift Card screen that appears, select the gift card code field and then tap the Paste button above the keyboard and tap Next. The gift card balance will be verified and added to your account.

As I wrote in the free ebook Windows Phone 8 Field Guide, you can make app, game, and music purchases from your phone using the balance provided by a gift card. I haven't tested this yet, but it appears that this balance is just a normal gift card balance, meaning you should be able to use it for any of these purchase types, and not just video.

(Tip: If you have a Lumia Icon, 1020 or 1520 already, it's worth grabbing the Gift Voucher app using the steps noted above. You never know.)

This offer is tied to the device and your Microsoft account, so you can redeem it once per device, and possibly once for each device you have. (I haven't tested that yet either.)

This is a great little offer, though I'm curious why a Nokia MixRadio or 3 month Xbox Live Music Pass wasn't included too.