Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Wizard101 partners with GameStop for Epic Bundle game card package]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/wizard101-partners-with-gamestop-for-epic-bundle-game-card-packa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/wizard101-partners-with-gamestop-for-epic-bundle-game-card-packa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/wizard101-partners-with-gamestop-for-epic-bundle-game-card-packa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


KingsIsle Entertainment, makers of the hit kid-friendly MMO Wizard101, have partnered with GameStop to offer players and parents an exclusive retail-only Epic Bundle just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. The package is priced at $39 USD and features a large amount of in-game extras including a flying gryphon mount, a fantasy palace complete with personal dueling arena and a minigame kiosk, decorative clothing, one month of premium content access, and an additional housing slot.

Wizard101 is a free-to-play MMO that lets kids and parents create student Wizards that inhabit Wizard City as well as hone their magical skills and fight the forces of evil. Access to the game's premium content can be obtained via game cards, subscription fees, or the purchase of crowns. You can find more information about the game card bundle at the official website.

MassivelyWizard101 partners with GameStop for Epic Bundle game card package originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-bundlef2pfamily-game-nightfree-to-playgame-cardgamecardgamestopkidskingsislekingsisle-entertainmentpromotionwizard101Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Game card or credit card?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/the-daily-grind-game-card-or-credit-card/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/the-daily-grind-game-card-or-credit-card/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/the-daily-grind-game-card-or-credit-card/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Game card or credit card? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-carditem-shopopinionsubscriptionthe-daily-grindtime-cardWed, 14 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Majority of buyers use game "gift cards" for themselves]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/majority-of-buyers-use-game-gift-cards-for-themselves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/majority-of-buyers-use-game-gift-cards-for-themselves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/majority-of-buyers-use-game-gift-cards-for-themselves/#commentsPlaySpan, creators of the Ultimate Game Card, released findings on March 20 that nearly 80 percent of those purchasing the gift cards are using them for themselves. The UGC, which sells alongside other gift cards on store shelves, has a special code redeemable online at the company's website that can be applied toward over 200 online games. The games supported range from triple-A MMOGs to casual, browser-based games.

PlaySpan's research notes that nearly 50 percent of their customers are age 14-18, and they likely purchase the cards because they're too young to have credit cards of their own. Virtual Goods News has crunched the numbers further.

MassivelyMajority of buyers use game "gift cards" for themselves originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financegame-cardmoneyplayspanresearchultimate-game-cardMon, 23 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PayByCash brings game cards to India ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/paybycash-brings-game-cards-to-india/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/paybycash-brings-game-cards-to-india/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/paybycash-brings-game-cards-to-india/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


As real money transactions grow in popularity, the worldwide demand will inevitably increase. The obstacles that previously hindered global saturation in the less-developed countries will no longer be a problem as companies are finding more ways to allow gamers to pay for their services. A perfect example of this is the recent announcement by PayByCash about their recent availability in India.

India is a country where the majority of its citizens don't have access to a credit card. This is where PayByCash hopes to help, by providing game time cards for a country whose gaming industry exceeds $212 million and is expected to reach $1 billion by 2012. It's much more than simple RMT though, as explained by Kevin Higgins, President of PayByCash: "Our expansion into India enables its millions of consumers to experience and purchase the over 300 games, virtual worlds, and premium content of our PayByCash publishers as well as providing other types of merchants with a new revenue stream."

MassivelyPayByCash brings game cards to India originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-cardindiaindianpaybycashrmtFri, 23 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The ultimate game card covers every game you play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/the-ultimate-game-card-now-24x7/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/the-ultimate-game-card-now-24x7/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/the-ultimate-game-card-now-24x7/#commentsFiled under: , ,

PayByCash have been more and more in the news lately, especially with their recent acquisition by Arjun Metha's Playspan in-game commerce network. Despite being only in sixth grade last year (no, you read that correctly), Metha's Playspan business pulled in over six million in series-A funding last September. The acquisition of PayByCash seems to close the circle nicely on their revenue streams, as PayByCash acts as a payments broker for those without credit cards, currently servicing more than 150 games.

Now those payments are going to be even easier, as PayByCash's Ultimate Game Card pre-paid cards are launching in 7-Eleven stores throughout the USA. Want to burn some time in Age of Conan's hyborean lands or delve D&D Online: Stormreach's dungeons, but don't have the credit-card to support your epic adventures? Want to give your favorite MMO gamer a gift? It looks like these colorful cards are the loot you've been looking for.

One of the biggest advantages of game cards like this is that they let you pay for your MMO when you've got the cash, rather than being enslaved to the MMO operator's billing cycle. Buy them when you've got the cash free (and hey, it's a 7-Eleven! Grab some Cheetos and soda!) and redeem them when and where you need to.

No word yet on whether PayByCash can do the deals to get these into stores elsewhere in the world, but if they can swing it, it will be a big deal for gamers everywhere -- especially in many countries where credit cards are quite rare.

MassivelyThe ultimate game card covers every game you play originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-elevenarjun-methafree-to-playgame-cardmicrotransactionsmmo-industrypaybycashplayspanrmtultimate-game-cardWed, 06 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The PotBS "Great Testbed Screenshot Hunt" is on]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/the-potbs-great-testbed-screenshot-hunt-is-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/the-potbs-great-testbed-screenshot-hunt-is-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/the-potbs-great-testbed-screenshot-hunt-is-on/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Pirates of the Burning Sea players now have another contest to take a crack at if the video competitions don't strike their fancy. Flying Lab Software has announced the "Great Testbed Screenshot Hunt", which involves players logging on to the Testbed server, performing particular tasks and then screenshotting them.

The ultimate goal of this is to make the testing process a little more fun, but there are tangible rewards as well to spice things up a bit. After you've emailed your batch of eligible screenshots to FLS, you'll be in the draw to win one of 10 game-cards granting 30 days play time, or one of two PotBS t-shirts. Head over to the contest page to see what you need to snap to be in with a chance -- and make sure your character name is visible on each shot!

MassivelyThe PotBS "Great Testbed Screenshot Hunt" is on originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>30-day-game-cardflsflying-lab-softwaregame-cardgreat-testbed-screenshot-huntpirates-of-the-burning-seapotbsscreenshott-shirttestbedThu, 17 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamerDNA offers Frostmourne replica contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/gamerdna-offers-frostmourne-replica-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/gamerdna-offers-frostmourne-replica-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/gamerdna-offers-frostmourne-replica-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


GamerDNA, the GuildCafe offshoot, has opened up a new contest to World of Warcraft players. Send in a screenshot of your character -- armored, naked, alive, dead, it doesn't matter -- and you stand a chance to win a replica of Frostmourne, Arthas' evil runeblade from Epic Weapons.

The sword itself is a $379 value, but of nearly equal worth to many players is the $20 game card that five players could win by entering a picture they've created themselves, either traditionally or digitally. These hand-done portraits are also eligible for the Frostmourne prize. To enter, simply register for GamerDNA through GuildCafe and send in your favorite character's picture. The deadline is June 30th, so get snapping!

[Thanks, Sam!]

MassivelyGamerDNA offers Frostmourne replica contest originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arthascontestepic-weaponsfrostmournegame-cardgamerdnaguildcafereplicaworld-of-warcraftTue, 03 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[30-day game cards available for Pirates of the Burning Sea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/30-day-game-cards-available-for-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/30-day-game-cards-available-for-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/30-day-game-cards-available-for-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A lot of people out there prefer not to have an ongoing direct debit from their bank accounts for game subscriptions, and this crowd will be pleased to know that there are now 30-day game cards available for Pirates of the Burning Sea. The cards can be used on a new or existing PotBS account, and this sort of thing is also a great gift for MMO-inclined friends -- or for convincing the reluctant ones to try the game out with you.

30-day game cards cost USD$14.99 and can be purchased from Sony's Station store.

Massively30-day game cards available for Pirates of the Burning Sea originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>30-day-game-cardflying-labgame-cardgame-time-cardpotbsstation-storetime-cardSat, 26 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gifts for the City dwellers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/gifts-for-the-city-dwellers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/gifts-for-the-city-dwellers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/gifts-for-the-city-dwellers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Whatever you celebrate this time of year, December seems to be when the majority of gifts are exchanged among friends and family. Everyone has their own idea of what is and isn't appropriate in a gift-giving manner, and it's difficult to decide what's best to give, and what we most want to receive. Well, that's where we come in.

We have the good fortune of having two of the fae here -- one from the Rogue Isles, and one from Paragon City -- to share with us their views of appropriate gifts for those of you who are playing in NCsoft's realms this holiday season. Their selections range from cost-free, in-game offerings up to something you can tuck under the tree ... or the computer desk, as the case may be.

Continue reading Gifts for the City dwellers

MassivelyGifts for the City dwellers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArtworkCard-SleevesCCGCity-of-HeroesCity-of-VillainsCoHCollectible-Card-GameCoVCoXDavid-NakayamaFeaturedGame-CardHolidashHoliday-CheerHolidazeLord-ReclusePlayNCPosterShopNCStatuetteT-ShirtTue, 11 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW giveaways 2 1/2: moar game time plz]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/wow-giveaways-2-1-2-moar-game-time-plz/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/wow-giveaways-2-1-2-moar-game-time-plz/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/wow-giveaways-2-1-2-moar-game-time-plz/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yep, it's still WoW day here at Massively, and we're giving away the last of our 60-day game cards of the day right now so gather 'round! By now you should know the drill -- please be 18. Please live in the US. Please be aware of these official rules. We all set? Eggselent -- now quick, go comment in this thread! You have until 1pm EST tomorrow, Sunday November 4 to get your entry in. One lucky bastard winner will be chosen at random to take home this bee-yoo-tee-ful prize. Very nice!

Oh, but the day is not yet over, my friends. You'll want to check back again for a special, uber-secret prize. You can scour the interwebs but you won't even find a shred nor scrap of evidence regarding what we're giving away. It's so secret, we won't even let ourselves know what it is until 3pm EST. Oops, did we let the kick-off time slip out?

MassivelyWoW giveaways 2 1/2: moar game time plz originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestsgame-cardgiveawaysmassive-giveawayssweepstakeswowwow-giveawaysSat, 03 Nov 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW giveaways part deux: the revenge]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/wow-giveaways-part-deux-the-revenge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/wow-giveaways-part-deux-the-revenge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/wow-giveaways-part-deux-the-revenge/#commentsFiled under: ,

So a few of you may have heard about this obscure little game. We hear it's all the rage in Tajikistan and all but surely you understand, we have bigger fish to fry here at Massively. Therefore, we're giving away a 60-day game time card to you kind folks in the hopes that one of you might just pick it up and play it for a bit and tell us what it's all about -- think of it as field reporting. In order to win, you must have existed in this universe for no less than 18 years, and reside currently in these here United States (official legalese here).

So you say you want this World of Warcraft game card, do you? Leave a comment in this thread by 11am EST tomorrow, Sunday November 4, and we will choose one lucky winner at random to spend 60 free days in this strange little world... of Warcraft. Good luck!

MassivelyWoW giveaways part deux: the revenge originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestsgame-cardgiveawaysmassive-giveawaysschwagwowwow-giveawaysSat, 03 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST