Virtual Worlds Forum

Here's an interesting new twist on in-world economies and micropayments. MMO publisher Nexon has signed a deal with retailer 7-Eleven to sell prepaid Nexon Game Cards in its stores. People will buy the cards in $10 or $25 denominations, then redeem them in Nexon's MapleStory, Audition and KartRider games to buy virtual items and accessories. The deal has other aspects too, including a virtual 7-Eleven store in MapleStory, which is described as “an entry for the convenience store into the virtual worlds space” (presumably, if it does well, this could lead to other virtual stores in other games/worlds). That's a big real-world retailer interested in selling virtual items - a key marker in the perception of MMOs and virtual worlds. Tech firm InComm is working with 7-Eleven and Nexon to roll the cards out, which are clearly designed for younger players who don't have a credit card for buying in-game items. “They're perfect for young people on a budget and should appeal to the Slurpee-beverage crowd,” says 7-Eleven's Brad Haga. It'll be interesting to see how many retailers follow suit, and whether such cards will be sold for non-game virtual worlds too. (via Worlds In Motion)