[UPDATE] Reloadable prepaid Visa card lets gamers earn points for shopping at select online, brick-and-mortar retailers, redeemable for publishing label titles.
In April, EA Sports president Peter Moore held court at the Fourth Annual MI6 Game Marketing Conference. While his presentation covered a breadth of topics, Moore was particularly interested in expanding the EA Sports brand in ways not directly associated with gaming, such as EA Sports-branded restaurants or sporting equipment. That expansion also apparently includes plastic.
Today, EA revealed it latest plan to keep its sports sims at the top of the charts, announcing the EA Sports-branded Visa debit card. The card can be used at "thousands of brick-and-mortar and online retailers," according to EA. Examples provided by the publisher include retail stores, such as Macy's, Barnes & Noble, and Office Max, with online outlets including Wal-Mart, iTunes, and the Gap.
[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, EA clarified its Rewards Points structure. According to an EA Sports representative, card holders will receive 100 points per $1 in "rewards back" offered by individual merchants. "For instance, if you spend $100 at the iTunes store and they offer 2 percent rewards back, you would receive 200 points," the rep stated.
Beginning December 15, these points can then be used to buy EA Sports titles through the publisher's Web site. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 titles can be had for 6,500 points, while Wii games will require 5,500 points.
Gamers can reload the prepaid debit card in a number of ways, including payroll direct deposit and checking account allocation. Money can be added to the card in $10 increments, with a daily maximum deposit of $950 and a monthly restriction of $4,500. Notably, the card carries a $1.99 monthly service charge. A full rundown of terms, conditions, and fees is available through EA's Web site.
Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.
I had one of these when they came out and I didn't get it to get free games. I did it because I had money in the bank that I wanted on a debit card to be able to spend in stores without having to go take out cash every time I wanted to. That was my main concern. After a year or so of use, or however long it took to accumulate enough points for a free game, the free game was just a bonus. The main point of this card is to be a debit card, and in that respect it's a winner.
this is just stupid, having to spend hundreds for a game thats only worth a fraction of it (Not counting the effort put into getting the points, what a joke...). This is something im staying well away from, Ebay and Amazon is much better than this rip off
Just when you start to think EA is becoming a more respectable company. If you get 200 points per $100 spent you have to spend $3750 to get a free game. Think of how long it takes you to rack up that much in purchases then minus $2 a month for the duration. Most people will be saving next to jack with the recession kickin everyones butt's.
Looks like Wall Street is sticking its grubby little hands wherever it can. And this seems like terrible rewards actually , I'll stick with my frequent flyer miles thank you very much.
lol a reloadable debit card with a monthly fee...you must be a sucker to fall for this. why would you pay a fee for prepaying them...
That's a bit silly of EA. Although on the fair side, at least it's not a credit card with some ridiculous APR on top.
you will need this card for all the d/l content for their sports games. What a joke, EA...."Its in the DLC"
Hmm... But would my lack of purchasing all that many EA sports games hinder the rewards? I picked up NCAA football this past year, but I'm not all too thrilled to pick up another installment. And a card with maximum deposits? I think I'll stick to my current card, thanks.
Why don't they just make a bank just about bought every studio out there that isn't Activision or Ubisoft? Seems like the next new market to get into. Maybe then you have something to do while you wait for that one lady who is trying to cash out a check but doesn't have an account but is over 100% sure that banks can do that and calling in all managers just to hear the same answer of "we can't do that, would you like to open a new account?"
Interesting. I got 3 thumbs down for a comment that questioned the accuracy of the article (I was right. It has been corrected.) and stated some of the fees that come with card use, pulled directly from the card's website. Not bothered by the thumbs down, just found them curious. The only reason I checked back was to see if I was right about the purchase:points ratio (I was.). OK, I did say that with all of the fees they charge the card was "questionable at best", but what really matters is that I was right.
EA is rubbing off on game companies like Infinity Ward, and DICE. Last time I checked Modern Warfare 2 got the "Madden" treatment if you know what I mean....
Not a bad idea, if you're a sports junkie I can see one getting behind this. If your just using it to get the newest madden, your spending about 100 bucks to get the game each year after charges and such. True over half of that will be on things you might buy otherwise, but still not worth it unless you want lots of EA Sports games.
seriously credit cards now?? Wow... just wow... See, I only spend money when I have money, real money. Not credit.
And whats really funny, to me at least, is that EA Sports is a Canadian based division of EA. Such a slap in the face to us here, in Canada. To have a local business, completely favour a foreign market.
This is funny. They have the right to close you account at any time, holding on to any cash. The Metabank is in four cities over Iowa and South Dakota, but the contact office for the EA Visa Debit Card is in Florida. They record all transactions and then sell them to third parties. There is no official point per capital spent, as it is not in the legal terms, they can change it. And that does not even list the cost of transactions on a daily bases. So for only 1.99 U.S. you can go to bed with Big Brother. For those of you who don't know, it's not the T.V. show, it's from a book, called 1984. ;-) Know that would be a cool game
"the card carries a $1.99 monthly service charge" really? people still get cards that are not free to use and pay you back for using them? I guess that is a good thing. Keeps my card running in my benefit I guess.
Is this article correct? 100 points per dollar spent seems inaccurate. I went to the EA Sports and it didn't list the purchase:points ratio. If it was that good, that would be highlighted on the site, don't you think? In addition to the $1.99 a month, the card also a LOT of smaller fees that would not be incurred using a debit card from your bank. It is not supposed to let you overdraft, but if you do there is an extra $25 fee (someone asked about this below). POS purchase with cash back has a $.50 fee as do ATM transactions. Talking to a live agent is $2.95 per call. There are bigger scams out there for the credit impaired, but this one is questionable at best.
Wow! For every 65 dollars you spend on things OTHER than gaming (correct me if I'm wrong, and if I am wrong forget this I would rather buy an air mileage card from Chase Bank) you can get a full game (cuz 100 points per dollar, 65 dollars x 100=6500), that's actually some really good pointage. I might get this thing...if it's not restricted to EA titles, but I doubt that. but my question, for anyone who knows is: when they say game for 6500 points, is that based on the average of 50-60 dollars per game?
1.99 a month to use it lol. If it didn't have a fee and gave you points because of ALL purchases, I would be all about this. It doesn't and is truly a rip off. GG EA.
1.99 monthly fee to use it .... whatever only someone way to addicted to EA sports games need get this ... the rest of us will stick with what we have.
even though it says prepaid and all i wonder if you could overdraft and how much those fees are? but like spazzx265 said not that bad if there's quality titles out
umm sounds good for older gamers gamers... how this might be good for gamers? There is a chance that other company's will start to do this like Microsoft/sony (hopefully). the points will be only good for buying there exclusives or put money on their stores. $2 monthy charge is good. I could rack up 450 a month on it main ly on gas and groceries. until then no good for me as i think sport games that comes out yearly sucks
... Actually... That's basically a buy-one-get-one-free program. I mean, you can spend that $65 on something you actually need, like groceries or paying a bill, and then you get a reward of an actual game. Limited selection or no, this is actually pretty cool.
give me a Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo Credit/Debit card. Who would want to use a card from a crappy third party game publisher.
If they let people redeem points on ANY EA published title this would be worth it. As for me, I don't like sports or sports games. Until they let me get any EA title under this then it's not worth it.
"I trust you enjoyed your meal, sir. How would you prefer to settle the bill?" "Do you take the EA Sports card?" "I beg your pardon?" "Ah. I'm sorry. I thought this was a classy establishment that was 'in the game."
This has a chance of actually rewarding the gamer... The only thing I am worried about is the game selection, if they phase in brand new titles near release dates then this will be so worth it. I hope they also put in some EA bundle packs of sorts... 1 good game and 2 crappy games lol
key words: select titles... means the garbage that no one is willing to pay $65.. most likely the $20 and below games.
So basically spend $65 on stuff we need to get a game we might not pay for on our own? That's not a bad deal, really.
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