@sargemat: People complain because PSN lets you purchase games for the exact amount. I've never filled my wallet on PSN - only ever directly purchased things for the exact amount.

Black-Dog-Howls

@Byakko:
the playstation store is different from region to region. The japanese store is different from the american store. Thus you can only use japanese money on the japanese store. And also due to the exchange rate of money changing ever so constant. Sony wants to make sure they get what the card is worth in money due to exchange rates changing. Thats all for the most part.

Jnkzm4

I dont get why people don't like the points system on 360 and Wii. At the end of the day on PS3 you still have to buy £5, £10 etc you can't just type in the number you want to get.

sargemat

Damn, their lack of points means I won't be able to get 2 for 1, like I did with those MS Point Cards.

Damn.

AZRoboto

Excellent. You sure as hell took your sweet time Sony. Not that I needed it, but still!

slomo788

@cL9: @archibaldleech: Oh wow, thanks for the info. I'll have to get some. I was disappointed because I thought I couldn't get any of the new characters for my minna no golf.

everybest

Ah, real world money denominations. SO much better than the point system I have to deal with on XBL >_>

But how is the exchange rate affected from country to country? I'm not sure how the PSN works so I'm curious. Point prices are standard across all XBL markets, regardless of country (although the price per point I suppose, is different but relatively the same price across all countries).

So how is the price difference handled on the PSN market?

Byakko

Awesome. Now I can download to my sweet hearts content.

FoxyGaz

You pay $40 for $20 on ebay...humanity...is senseless.

Mike918

Ive seen the psn cards at the store over here for at least 4 months now... its a different color, red and black. Anyways, since my ps3 is coming this week, I bought one for preparation :D.

PAULINK

I've had to activate every single Microsoft Points card I've gotten for the Xbox Live Marketplace. None o' that with the Wii Points cards, though.

(I once bought a Microsoft Points card off of eBay, and actually had to go into a local store that sells 'em and swipe it just to activate it, 'cause it hadn't been activated. They didn't charge me anything for it though.)

NobleArc, The Lazy Canadian

@kommanderk:
hhmm this i did not know applied for 360 market point cards as well or wii points. Now im aware. thank you for the general knowledge. *feels dumb*

Jnkzm4

@everybest: Point cards have been available in Japan for a long time now. I'm in the U.S. and have bought three of them off eBay to get some PS1 games from the Japanese PSN store.

Only problem is that sellers on eBay mark up the cards so after all is said and done, a PS1 game will cost an American roughly $9 - $10, not bad at all since the Japanese store has such great games as Silent Bomber, R-Type Delta, MGS, Resident Evil DC, RE2, etc.

archibaldleech

sorry for the double post, I wanted to add:

Even with cards activated at the register, make sure the "scratchy" film is in tact. People can use the code on the back between the time they're bought and the time they're used.

this happens a lot during the holidays, when that time can be weeks to a month.

Snokie

@.endejas.:
Exactly, this is why I'm saying it's not entirely worth it.

As mentioned by several others in this thread, the only people who really need these are kids who don't have debit or credit cards, or importers trying to buy things off of foreign PSN stores without getting screamed at by their credit card company.

Archaotic

lol...they go for more than retail value on ebay which is a shame. You use a credit card on ebay to buy them via paypal. But you will pay $15+ above retail value. Makes no sense.

[search.ebay.com]

Jnkzm4

@Jnkzm4: every single type ofmoney card you can buy is usless untill scand at register

kommanderk

I think they've been out for a while. I got one on the 13th. It works well and was easy to use.

DocBacca

@Jnkzm4:

The last few XBL cards I bought were also activated at the register.

Snokie

@everybest: I believe those are already out in Japan.

Anyways, good to know that they're finally releasing this. There's a lot of people without credit cards who haven't been able to pick up anything off the PSN store. I can see importers being happy about this, too.

cL9

@Archaotic: There's no arbitrary points on these cards. $50 PSN card will get you $50 on PSN.

They're like gift cards.

.endejas.

f-ing sweet! im all for it. sony is pure street smart for this one. useless until payed for. i love them.

Jnkzm4

@Archaotic: Might be a nice gifts or for kids without credit cards.
@masvill20: I don't live in US and I have no problem buying for PSN other than there's not much to buy here in EU anyway.

julians

@Archaotic: its for people that dont have a credit card/ dont want to use one online.

kommanderk

@Luke Plunkett: I never thought of that! Is Japan releasing cards too?

everybest

@Archaotic: I think there is a lot of demand for these, since many people can't pay with their CC for whatever reason. Also for the younger crowd or as gifts.

$50 card will go a long way I think. PSN downloads are pretty cheap unless you're downloading full budget games. I might pick one up just to see what it looks like.

everybest

Sweet. I can finally get DLC relevant to games I invest in,

Solidius

@Archaotic: They're priceless for importers, because it means you can buy stuff off the US PlayStation Store without a US-based credit card

Luke Plunkett

Finally, the last compelling thing I needed to pick up a PS3 (I don't live in the US so I can't pay the credit card bill). Rock Band DLC here I come!

masvill20

Well thank Jesus! Now all they gotta do is announce Wipeout HD and a custom soundtrack feature ( a la XBOX 360 ) and my PS3 is finally up to snuff. We all know in game XMB is coming but man I'm pacing the room for custom music. For anybody who hasn't played a game to their own music ( especially a racing game...GRID ) you're missing out.

Saliu

I've still not seen much of a point for these, considering the PSN runs on real money values instead of arbitrary points systems, but for those who need 'em, great! Stock up, they'll probably be impossible to find in a few weeks.

Archaotic

Sweet. I can finally buy some of the stuff off the PS store.

Amazon_Chris

So all in all your pretty much right (a few steps ahead of me). Dollar denominations are good instead of points. But if the exchange between an american dollar to japanese dollar is increased then if the $20 american card is bought before that raise then they can say they got the card for cheaper than what it goes for after the raise in the exchange rate.

Jnkzm4

@Byakko:
The prices for the content has changed before. As for the using of real dollars, I would assume this is why they are using dollar denominations instead of the points system. The $20 card will always be $20 as you have stated unlike Microsoft of Nintendo, who could change their 2000 points cards prices so easily. I guess its just a way of having their customers less confused with how much the points are really worth.

But the dollar denominations I believe is less confusing than the points system just because you know exactly how much you are paying for something. I am curious as to know if the psn network cards will get taxed when you buy them. Since they are unike the points system and use actual dollar amounts. I think they will get taxed though as if I were to buy and actual game from the store.

Jnkzm4

@Byakko: wow, you do have a good point there on the psychological thing. but then again when you do end up buying points, they're on their for good. And i would think that you should be able to differentiate the prices by comparing them to other purchasable items.

PAULINK

@Archaotic:
It's for:

1. importers
2. kids
3. paranoids

@sargemat: If your buying over EUR 5,- by credit card you will pay the exact price ( EUR 7,99 for example )
Don't know how it's in the US but I believe it's similar. Anyone here to confirm?

Garo

finally...
People in trinidad are gonna be happy!!

I am!

TheApprentice

@sargemat: I can buy $4.58 on PSN. It doesn't have to be a one of the set amounts if you're withdrawing per purchase. Using points is just adding one extra unnecessary step to confuse customers and encourage them to spend more.

everybest

Actually the Wii Cards now need to be activated as well... Atleast in all the stores I go to.

gamedismantler

Woah, am I in some sort of time warp or something? I could have sworn I read about this happening months ago. Like back in December or something. Even about the no announcement accompanying it detail.

Green-clad Gamer Dude

@sargemat:

The thing about the points system being used by MS and Nintendo, and why it's frustrating for consumers, is entirely psychological. You don't 'feel' like you're spending real money because even though you know you paid for them, you're only seeing points. And unless you keep a calculator around, you're never really going to know EXACTLY how much you're paying.

Plus, MS and Nintendo earns extra. This is how. Using the calculator, you calculate it's about $3.567 behind it's 400 points. If they had used real-world dollars, they might have set it to $3.50 even, and mentally, you think it's about $3.50.

But it isn't, MS and Nintendo are EARNING that 0.067 extra, and multiply that over all the sales on XBL, and that's a lot of extra cash right there.

Hence, why I would prefer real-world dollars like PSN has. You know EXACTLY how much you're paying, and Sony can't screw you over like this.

@Jnkzm4:

But does that mean the price of items on the marketplace might change? Since they're using real dollars, they can't just change the standard price of their PSN card like maybe MS and Nintendo could, if they needed to adjust for changes in exchange rate.

Byakko

@UFO: Those cards that also got hacked are on a microsoft network. There are ppl that hate dwell in knowing all that is microsoft and breaking their system down and stealing information. Reason to why windows has so many viruses but not linux or sumthing. Ps3 has a unique interface on a sony server and not microsoft server. Its gonna take a while to hack it not get caught unlike a microsoft server. Not beating M.S. Its just not as many ppl out there willing to hack Sony's network.

Jnkzm4

I use my credit card online all the time to buy things at trusted sites i use regularly but this is the only way i would buy anything on the psn.I just wouldnt want my credit card details on the psn.Didnt both valve and microsoft have trouble with customers private info at some time? I seem to remember something along those lines.
I dont know but i just get the feeling that the info would be less secure somehow and possibly a more attractive target for hackers so the cards are good if i do ever want anything.

UFO

I have yet to see these in Japan and I've been here since the PS3 launched. If I don't find them in Tokyo in two weeks, I'm gonna cry.

Amerijapoxicano

As someone who doesn't have a credit card -- it's about damn time.

Maximus Paynicus

We've had them at work for the last 2 weeks.

TheHeartless

Thank goodness, but I still don't think it will come out in a local store or not yet. Hopefully Sony can do something about this...

ultimate920

@UFO: I gotta agree with Jnkzm4. It has nothing to with any fanboyism or consoles at all. I think a Microsoft server is much more likely to be hacked than a Sony one. I'd assume many times it's not a "get rich" ploy but more of a hate attack. Sony's still relatively new in that field so I think they're pretty safe.

everybest

@TheApprentice: lol, is there a TT PSN Store?

dangerman_

I hope there will be some imports to the EU soon so we can finally buy things off the US-PSN without any fake-adress virtual credit cards.

Starsky

points system or not, theyre all the same

Leepox

How long will it be before they hit the UK

optikk

It's nice that you have to activate these cards at a register. I can't even count how many of those Wii "glove/2000 pt. card" boxes I find ripped off around my Wal-mart.

KenogaBrave

Oh, and the DualShock 3. That's an important one I missed out. I wish SCEE would realise that only the ignorant, ill-informed or desperate are buying spare SixAxis controllers. If they're waiting until stocks run out of that, we'll not get DualShock 3 until 2010...

Ungruntled

We need these in the UK... I know a family with a PS3 and they would love to buy some "simple little arcade and puzzle games" but the head of the family flatly refuses to enter his credit card details onto the PS3. These vouchers would be a massive boost for them as at the moment, their games collection is practically nil. But, as it's in the UK, I suspect we will be waiting forever... like with the PSP GPS add-on, and Rock Band, and the PS2 HDD etc etc etc... I love my PS3 but I have no faith at all that SCEE do anything other than sniff their shit-stinking fingers all day.

Ungruntled

@Starsky: That sucks, man. That's almost twice as much as we pay for one, here (again, Canada).

We should just go into business, you and I, and export/import 'em.

PlayerX

@Byakko: I know what you're saying, here, but Wii Points cards are 20$/2000 pts where I live (Canada), so a NES game costs roughly 5$, here. But I know what you're saying.

PlayerX

@Ungruntled: On Amazon.de you can preorder the EU-Dualshock 3. It is going on sale on July 2nd, however listed with the fantasy price of EURO 59.95! This is 5 bucks more than import versions from Japan or Canada available from other mail order companies in Germany... Late and still screwed! That's how we like it!

Starsky

@everybest: Can't, or don't want to, like me. I just hate putting my credit card information through the internet....

I swear, at this rate, I'll just outright become my father by next week.

PlayerX

Oh, thank the fucking LORD! Why the Hell did that Sony exec taunt us so many months ago by saying, "they should be hitting stores AS WE SPEAK." AUGH!

On the plus side, Loco Roco, Flow, other games probably including Echochrome, here I come!!!

PlayerX

People are also forgetting that there are some people that don't actually want to use their credit card information online, or store their CC information in their PS3s, so this is a good alternative.

neoraul20

Finally! I can stay away from my parents' credit card!

Zwei Voltage

@PlayerX: As I am in export/import business this is not even such a bad idea ;-) Well, if it wasn't for Sony taking legal actions against grey market imports. Now that the DS3 will be officially available here, SCEE will probably not just look how their business is disturbed but take their law-hounds off the chain...

Starsky

Good but I think we need them more here in Europe. Credit cards aren't as common in Europe as they are in North America from what I've heard and I don't have a way to pay for stuff myself. My Visa Electron won't just work.

Zkuq

Does this mean I can buy the US PSN Card and purchase Dark Mist from the UK PSN? Or do I have to purchase the card from that particular region in order to add the amount to that account?

nine07

At least with these being activated at the register stores like Wal-Mart will actually continue selling them. Unlike Wii points, these and 360 points can't be stolen, which is probably why a lot of retailers don't have Wii points anymore. Really, how hard is it to steal a little card with no security device, even if in a box.

ceilingFANBOY

Actually my roommate needs these because his credit cards WILL NOT work on the PSN. Trust me, he has tried everything (And, yes, he uses the credit cards all the time elsewhere).

Kirksplosion

Hummm..... :)

bubble-bee

I just found out this weekend about Paypal generated one-use credit cards. This is now useless to me. :-(

Sure, I could use my Credit Card...but after FFXI charged me about $45 when I signed up (for a trial) I stopped trusting gaming companies with my CC.

Kanik

so you would have to wait until they come out in UK.

Jnkzm4

@Ungruntled: actually instead of waiting all you have to do is import it. I bought my first ds3 @ play-asia.com they have the black ones for $52 i believe but the shipping price is $6.60. It would be the same as you waiting. Ds3 are not region protected so you can just plug and play with those bad boys. Delivery is about 2 weeks.

But as for you buying an american psn card and using it in the UK, it just wont work. The psn cards are region locked. Due to the price exchange rate changes as stated earlier.

Jnkzm4

FINALLY. Now, I just hope this applies to Canada.

HikariOblivion

You need to slap a update on the news,as THEY ARE NOT FINALLY HITTING STORES.They're only showing up at meijers for now and hopefully some other big box chains over the next month or two,hence no announcement from Sonyas they is nothing to announce.The plan right now is to get em to the people that need em.
Thats why they've been showing up at gas stations and such,all of those gas stations and little sotres they were showing up at were near military bases.Next phase is places where college kids will tend to shop and finally mas market release.
On a side note,this news is over a week old,come on guys:)

xIvSlowDeath420

finally, i hate using my credit card.

VixDiesel

Please be in Canada.

darkstar5555

@t3chDzyn: As said previously, some people just can't use a credit card, or don't have one, or would rather not use it.

More choices = good.

HikariOblivion

Ummm, why do we need these? Unlike the 360, on the ps store you can actually add the exact amount of money needed for a purchase. So why would I spend $20 on a card when I can put that $6.31 on to get my balance back to $0 when I'm done?

t3chDzyn

Neato. I wonder why they waited so long for U.S release.

Talleh

I hope these cards are not region locked. Appealing as all three Jet Motto games are, I'd much rather sink my money into Mr. Driller and PaRappa from the Japanese store. The US PSN store is a total wasteland. Syphon Filter? Gee, thanks.

yokoland

There you go, Pal people... Importing US PSN games is now possible... Too bad the same can't be said of us importing PAL PSN games like that dark mist game...

bobtheduck

OMFG, finally :)

Kikouken

I've already seen PSN cards at a nearby AAFES PX at an army base for a few months now... but I've never seen them elsewhere for some reason.

Nuclear Chauffeur

This is good. When I see it for myself in a store, it'll be better.

Karisu-Zero

finally, now i can buy things from ps store, i have a credit card but i don't live in the us. super street fighter 2 hd remix, here i come!!!!

bersnake