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Buzz Watch: World of Warcraft VISA Credit Card

Authored by Jay Baage on May 8, 2007 - 10:04am.
Blizzard Entertainment, the California-based game developer and publisher, has struck a deal with First National Bank to release a World of Warcraft Visa card. Much like credit cards that offer frequent flyer miles for each dollar's worth of purchases, the new WOW Visa card will give players of the MMORPG free play time for their consumption with the card.

When this was announced last week, it made few headlines. However, I think that these kind of deals can be huge business opportunities for both the payments industry as well as virtual worlds companies, if done right.

So how does it work? Basically, credit card companies and game makers will reward their customers who spend money in the real world using private label "rewards" credit cards. These rewards can then be turnd into gifts of virtual currency such as Blizzard's World of Warcraft gold and Second Life's Linden dollars.

The new WOW Visa cards will be emblazoned with art from the game, but in the future, imagine if you could personalize your card with artwork featuring your own avatar? That would be pretty coool. Second Life, Habbo, and all other virtual worlds out there, any such plans?

Joakim Baage

Related Links:
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/visa/
Bank offering World of Warcraft Visa card (Gamespot) 
tags: Marketing | Payments | Sony | World of Warcraft | Blizzard Entertainment | Visa | Virtual Worlds |



Comments

how about debit

Submitted by Tina Brandon (not verified) on June 5, 2007 - 8:52am.
Given the number of players they have internationally, and the demographics, surprised they haven't issued a prepaid visa debit card in addition. Suppose that 's just a matter of time.

This is stupid… it

Submitted by Twist (not verified) on June 6, 2007 - 12:56am.
This is stupid… it says “Complete details, including restrictions, limitations, and exclusions, will be available when you become a Cardmember.” at the bottom of the screen in small print… so its like… Ok! we will tell you all of the bad things and drawbacks of this card juuuust as soon as you become a card member and heres more spiffy info https://www.firstnational.com/welcome/DynamicApp?goterms=Y&Promotion_Cod... read the fine print my friends and dont fall for crap like this… You really think that sumones gonna just give you free wow play time?? of course not!! they will be getting much more out of you, than you get out of them

The game is so popular it

Submitted by Carps Lionel (not verified) on May 22, 2008 - 2:02pm.
The game is so popular it almost beats their other masterpiece BroodWar. Me, im more with the classics so i prefer the last one. www.ApplyOnline.CitiCards.com

We're waiting for a virtual

Submitted by mogs (not verified) on July 31, 2008 - 8:51am.
We're waiting for a virtual World of Warcraft credit card that allows you to buy gold! Thankfully we're not holding our breath though.

There are so many players

Submitted by German Dude (not verified) on March 30, 2009 - 6:32am.
There are so many players out there and paying using a credit card is the only way to access all the features. It was about time to have a special card for gamers to use. Still, maybe Visa will put out on the market a credit card merchant account with the WOW signature.

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