EA Sports Card "Encourages Responsible Spending"

[Greg Tito]

EA Sports Card "Encourages Responsible Spending"

Have you always wanted to earn rewards which you can redeem for EA Sports titles just by buying crap on a credit card? Me neither!

Electronic Arts announced today that they are launching an EA Sports prepaid debit card in association with Visa, StorValue and MetaBank. The card does not appear to offer a line of credit but instead is called a "prepaid debit card." The released information is unclear, but I assume that it works like a gift card that you can reload. Using funds through the card offers rewards of points which you can then redeem for EA Sports games at a proprietary website [http://www.easportsrewards.com/]. You can apply for the debit card now but the "EA Sports Rewards Mall" doesn't launch until December 15th.

Todd Sitrin, a marketer at EA Sports, said "Consumers use the card while making their everyday purchases and are rewarded with EA SPORTS video games. This program is a perfect marriage of encouraging responsible spending while providing a unique reward program."

That's where the pitch officially goes off the rails. Whether it's through charging a fee or skimming a percentage of purchases, the purpose of this card is to make money for the people who are shilling it, just like any other product out there. If you're in the niche of folks who buy a lot of EA Sports (a pretty specific brand to say the least) then maybe this will save you a few bucks. Fine, I'll give them that.

But stating that it "encourages responsible spending"? That is as far fetched as claiming that burning money encourages you to save more.

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[Twad]

Riiiiiiight... Its hard not to start laughing when i read this.

Im sure they had trouble not laughing when they said that too.

I mean, «responsible spending» its the last thing they want, or care about. As if some corporation would care about that, or they hope people will buy that speech about responsible spending as if EA was some sort of moral beacon.

 

[300lb. Samoan]

Have you always wanted to earn rewards which you can redeem for EA Sports titles just by buying crap on a credit card? Me neither!

Greg Tito, if you've shown me anything it's that any bi-line instantly because much better as soon as you end it with 'Me neither!' Works every time!

OT: I don't believe in credit cards and I sure as fuck don't want this one.

EDIT: So it's not a credit card. Well, I guess I should have read the article first. Assuming it works like a real debit card, i.e. no interest on purchases, no fees for usage, this is actually a great idea (but saying it encourages responsible spending is a big laff).

Hey, Microsoft, how about a card like this that turns 10 cents of every purchase I make into a Microsoft point? That way every time I buy an $8,000 Samsung TV I can get a free copy of 'Splosion Man!

 

[Vierran]

EA, Debit Card, Responsible Spending. Does anyone else have trouble with these words near each other or is it just me?

 

[Jared]

Mobile Firm over un the UK has started to do the same thing, called O2.

Basically allows you to do the same thing...but, it makes me wonder why are firms, who are obviously not financial institutions trying to get involved.

In the all too famous words.

"I see trouble, ahead..."

 

[Kellerb]

...How is this unique, exactly?

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

I'm not sure about Debit Cards exactly, but the whole gift card trend is such a hit with retailers because it's free money - there is a not insignificant proportion of customers who purchase gift cards and then never redeem them before they expire, meaning they've essentially just given your company money without receiving any services in return. 100% pure profit!

 

[johnman]

Why the hell would you buy any new EA sports releases? Buy any of the previous years game an you get the same experiance

 

[The Lawn]

I signed up for one for the hell of it.

Kinda just want to see what it is, and I'll probably never use it as it cost me nothing up front and if it costs money to activate it I won't.

Odd concept... as you'd probably save enough money to buy the game you would get from the points from not spending the loading charge, I assume there's a charge to load this.

Oh well... I'll find out in 5-7 days.

 

[laserwulf]

A while back there was something like this with characters from SFIV (along with other designs), but without the reward system. They basically are rechargeable giftcards, but but work at any place that accepts Visa/Mastercard. They seemed to be marketed to teens/parents (not have to handle cash for allowance?), but there were SO MANY fees that it sounded like a scam that targets the stupid.

I haven't read the fine print for this EA card yet, but my scam-sense is tingling.