PlaySpan helping social network Hi5 to cash in on virtual goods
Updated with information from Hi5 on its gaming effort.
Social network Hi5 is continuing its foray into the business of virtual gaming today by introducing two new ways for users to pay it real money for its “Coins” virtual currency. The services, offered by gaming payment company PlaySpan, include PayByCash, which lets you buy Coins using cash or check, as well as the Ultimate Gaming Card, a prepaid card so parents can buy a set amount… Continue Reading
Roundup: Xbox defects rise, Windows Live Messenger comes to websites, and more
Here’s the latest action:
Joystiq reports rising Xbox 360 defects — Errors with the E74 code have been rising since the New Xbox Experience update on Xbox Live, according to a survey.
Windows Live Messenger adds chat to websites – In the words of TechCrunch’s Erick Schonfeld, “AIM, the ball is in your court.”
MySpace brings in Fotoflexer to allow photo customization — Up until this point, those features have only been available through third-party photo-editing tools.
Sohu files for an… Continue Reading
PlaySpan makes virtual goods transactions more convenient
In-game commerce network PlaySpan is taking one of the hassles out of trading virtual goods. In the past, gamers had to engineer a risky drop-off inside a game world in order to trade valuable virtual goods between game characters. The gray-market system (often not sanctioned by game operators) required that player arrange to meet inside a virtual world and was also rife with fraud, as many people didn’t show up as promised.
Now the Santa Clara,… Continue Reading
PlaySpan launches virtual goods marketplace for lots of games
Virtual goods markets are picking up steam. That’s why PlaySpan is today announcing a virtual goods marketplace web site that combines items from a bunch of games.
The PlaySpan Virtual Goods Marketplace will sell items from dozens of top games, including EVE Online, Gunz, Kal, Knight Online, Saga, Shaiya, Silk Road, Soldier Front, Trickster and War Rock. Visitors to the site can purchase virtual currencies used in the games or buy the items directly themselves. Previously,… Continue Reading
PlaySpan raises $16.8 million for gaming virtual goods platform
Virtual goods sales are starting to look better than real world goods sales these days. PlaySpan announced today that it has raised $16.8 million for its virtual goods platform and online payments business for online games.
Karl Mehta, chief executive of the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company said PlaySpan will use the money to expand into new markets overseas and investigate opportunities for its platform on social networks. The company makes both the system that lets game… Continue Reading
PlayerAuctions sets up exchange for digital assets in online games
PlayerAuctions, a startup backed by a big Korean company, launched its digital asset exchange for online games today.
The company is tapping into the demand for markets that allow game players to profit from their heavy investment of time into massively multiplayer online games such as World of Warcraft. Through the secure auction process on PlayerAuctions, for instance, someone could spend alot of time collecting gold in a game and then sell it to the highest… Continue Reading
Gaming market company PlaySpan buys gaming-goods purchase company PayByCash
PlaySpan offers an application that video game players can download and use to trade, buy or sell virtual goods and other products. It has purchased a complementary company, PayByCash, that lets gamers purchase products using cash, checks, PayPal and other payment methods. PayByCash has clients including Electronic Arts, Sony Online Entertainment and Mythic Entertainment.
PlaySpan, notably, has a 12 year old co-founder and has raised $6.5 million in venture capital.
PlaySpan, run 12-year-old founder, gets $6.5M in venture capital
[Updated: The father, Karl, has responded to an inquiry. We've updated below. See comments too.]
A Silicon Valley company co-founded by a 12-year-old has just raised $6.5 million in venture capital.
PlaySpan, based in Santa Clara, Calif. says it offers game publishers a technology that lets users make payments and shop for other items. It calls itself the first “publisher-sponsored in-game commerce network.”
Arjun Mehta, a 6th grader, says on his Web site that he is passionate about… Continue Reading