Facebook’s Most Powerful Developer, Zynga, Switches Exclusively to Credits
It looks like Facebook developer Zynga is jumping on the Credit bandwagon without reservation as part of a five year deal. Zynga’s been woring towards Facebook credits for a few months now, but the latest move gives Facebook Credits a priority within the game platform’s payment solutions. This removes the options around additional third party payment options, and funnels Zynga’s revenue through Facebook.
Zynga isn’t the only company to sign on with Facebook Credits: CrowdStar came on with a five-year contract in June, and so have RockYou and Playdom. However, neither RockYou nor Playdom have accepted the Credits-only paradigm yet, but they are expected to later this year, according to an article at Inside Social Games.
The adoption of Credits for Facebook has been a bit of a bumpy road with a good deal of transaction complaints by users; however, it’s been coming along smoothly, and with Zynga on board it looks to be slated for a solid takeover. Even now, though purchase options still display other payment options, e-mails from Facebook note that the user has bought Credits (even if they purchased straight with Visa) this is so that customers not used to the Credits option don’t become confused when it’s the only way they can buy into a game.
Inside Social Games also mentions that no developers are getting special consideration for Credits, all developers and games get the same treatment. Thus debunking a rumor that some developers were getting a discount for jumping on board with Credits.
Also previously reported on SiliconANGLE, like many online currencies, Facebook Credits have wormed their way into the money-card market with Target Gift Cards. With Zynga jumping on board, it will make these cards even more valuable to customers as they’ll be able to use them in more places.
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