Phones suck for online gaming

As part of a report on casual games and browser-based MMOGs, I just completed a table of one company’s available online payment methods. Organized by country, it lists how gamers all over the place can pay for their virtual currency and in-game items.

Paying by (cell) phone is a dumb idea. The option of SMS payments is simply not very common despite the explosive growth in text messaging. I’m guessing that that’s somewhat contrary to the expectations of enormous companies everywhere that are betting on cell phones becoming a new wallet. Looking at ‘PayByPhone‘ it’s obvious why: despite being offered, this method charges €1.35 + 0.34/min for one week, making a monthly subscription to Dofus €6.76 (and in Northern Europe even €7.99). The regular month price is €5.00/$6.90.

Oh, and if you’re in South America, and don’t have a credit card, you’re screwed. Sure enough, credit cards and related PayPal traffic is worldwide. But after that you’re stuck with paying via SMS.

There has to be a better way to facilitate this growing industry. Seriously.

[Disclaimer: I have no opinion of or affiliation with Ankama Games; I'm simply digesting some info I found on their site.]