The Daily Grind: Game card or credit card?
Filed under: At a glance, Business models, Culture, MMO industry, Opinion
Yesterday we ran a story on this new game card hitting the market called the ONE game card, a card that you can pick up at your local store to redeem for a wide variety of games. That story got us thinking however, about game cards at large. How much do people use them? Are they widely accepted? And why use a game time card over a credit card?How many of you Massively readers prefer going out and purchasing a time card / points card for your favorite online game instead of paying for it with your credit card? Why do you fine readers prefer your chosen method of payment? Do you find yourself buying more point cards for games that use cash shops while you pay subscription fees with a credit card, or do you really enjoy picking up time cards for your subscription games?
Drop us your comments and let us know how you feel about your payment plans!



















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TexRob said on 8:31AM 10-14-2009
I have always used a credit card for game subs, but I hear that if you're looking to save money, the game cards can be good. Recently I heard it mentioned that you can get NCSoft cards on special a lot, to use for game subs. I think that reason, as well as younger players are the main people who use game cards.
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tw34k said on 8:32AM 10-14-2009
I've been a creditcard user since day dot, game cards never really appealed to me, it really boils down to convenience and time, living in australia convenience probably weighs in more since its not like you can just pop down the road to pick up a card.
The biggest issue ive always felt with prepaid is running out of time mid game, and then having to run out, its not a huge inconvenience but more a hassle, and while im sure its just as easy to manage with prepaid time it just feels like more work, added with the fact most mmo's usually offer reduced prices with bundling, credit card is just feels like the better choice.
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max said on 8:37AM 10-14-2009
I know most people use credit cards, but I've only ever used store bought game cards. I don't like that whole continuous billing they love to do to your credit card. Time cards allow me to set a strict limit on how much I spend on these games and not get carried away buying months of time, especially if my interest runs out.
Not to mention, lately I've only been playing f2p games so these are just a handy way of buying a points package for what I want or feel I should spend in their stores for any given period of time.
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Cheddar said on 9:04AM 10-14-2009
I started using gamecards recently, I got fed up with the recurring payment system as I found most of the time I didnt login hardly at all to a few MMOs I subscribe to.
This way I save money and eventually I have dropped at least 2 MMO subscriptions as I just didnt miss playing them.
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Epocrates said on 9:10AM 10-14-2009
Yeah I always just use credit cards, I figure what's the point of Buying a card to then have to type it in. I say Skip the middle man and just pay the Co. Unless you're into that whole "help the market" thing for the retailers. Or you don't keep up with the auto subs and constantly get charged when you didn't want another month...that I can confess to on more than one occasion...
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Jess said on 9:49AM 10-14-2009
Currently playing LOTRO for free due to lifetime sub being way past the 20 month mark, but that being said I use CC when I do subscribe to an MMO.
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JS said on 10:10AM 10-14-2009
I caught WoW cards on sale at Amazon a while back that had them priced slightly below the 6 month price with a credit card. So, I bought a year's worth for both of my accounts.
Otherwise, it's 6 months at a time via credit card.
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Tyranor said on 10:11AM 10-14-2009
Well, I sometimes use PLEX for EVE, but that's a different matter altogether...I usually stick to credit cards. The middle man gets in teh way.
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Jon said on 10:25AM 10-14-2009
I will rack up on game cards whenever I see a sale, but usually I will buy 6 months at a time.
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Chris (Game by Night) said on 10:55AM 10-14-2009
I use a CC nowadays; however, when I played WoW I always rolled with a game card. My local Walmart sells 60 day cards for just shy of $30. If I pay by the month on my card, I wind up paying something like $32 for that same time period, after taxes.
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thud said on 11:18AM 10-14-2009
It's a matter of security. I can buy a game card in person from a trusted retailer with cash. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes so any reason NOT to enter a CC into a browser is a good thing.
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Andy G. said on 11:09AM 10-14-2009
Micro Center sells Aion (well, generic NCSoft) game cards for $20 that give you 60 days of game time. It's worth putting up with the hassle to save $10 every 2 months, if you ask me.
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Jack said on 11:13AM 10-14-2009
I like to use Paypal. And use my bank account to fund it.
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Innocente said on 11:54AM 10-14-2009
Yup. I use PayPal as well. Linked to a bank account in which I keep a *very* small running balance.
Otherwise, I use CC.
I have found GameCards to not be such a good deal. Good if you do not have an alternative means of payment, though.
Clockwork said on 11:25AM 10-14-2009
After a few instances of subbing to an MMO, discovering I didn't like it, forgetting to unsub, and continuing to get charged for it (Yes, I have a terrible memory.) I began using game cards. I'm admittedly not the most responsible person in the world, so using game cards instead of recurring charges helps me keep a better handle on my money. But really, it's just a personal preference, and it's by no means convenient. I rather wish companies would allow you to purchase months of game time at once, but in a non-recurring fashion. That would certainly make things easier for me and others like me, at least.
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Eric Diaz said on 2:00PM 10-14-2009
Since i dont have a credit card. I get my WoW time through gamecards.
Very easy way to stock up on game-time for me and easy gifts to ask for on birthday/holidays.
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Neurotic said on 2:45PM 10-14-2009
I like GTCs because my credit card is constantly maxed-out, so when I get a little cash in hand I go and buy one for something, although living outside of the US, UK and Western Europe, there really aren't many around. I've seen LoTRO, WoW and Warhammer cards here, but you never know for what durations they'll be, as they seem to be stocked on a fairly random basis.
Great idea though, GTCs. Plus they look cool in your wallet. I'd like to go and do a month's worth of shopping one day and say 'What? You don't accept WoW here? Ridiculous!' :-D
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Jay said on 6:20PM 10-14-2009
I have fallen in love with game time cards since swapping games a few months back. reviously I only had the option of paying with credit card as LoTRO don't offer game time cards in Australia (most games don't) but my latest game does offer this option.
It allows me to buy my time with spare cash and also the time for my duo partner in America. Each few months I will get 2 cards, scratch one for him and email the code. Far better than the LoTRO situation where I had to put my credit card details into his account so we could play together.
And... before you ask... No, I won't pay your access too. :P
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crisisavatar said on 8:56PM 10-14-2009
I am fine paying online.
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