Nexon Sells Cards in 7-11

In September, Nexon's Min Kim described the company's efforts to break into the American market. One of the most siginificant advances Nexon made was to put prepaid cards Target--a tactic that's paid for many other virtual worlds now. He mentioned then that the company had begun experimenting selling the cards in 7-11 stores in Hawaii as well. Now that initiative has been rolled out nationally. The cards, which sell for $10 or $25 can be used in the free-to-play MapleStory, Audition, and the currently-in-open-beta US KartRider. "We have a great assortment of prepaid cards and now we have one especially for 'tweens and teens who are the biggest fans of these online games," said Brad Haga, 7-Eleven senior product director for business development and services. "They're perfect for young people on a budget and should appeal to the Slurpee®-beverage crowd."

As it did with Target, MapleStory will also feature an in-world 7-11 store.

"Offering these exclusive game cards is an important first for a convenience chain and massively multiplayer online (MMO) publisher," said John H. Chi, president and CEO of Nexon America Inc. "By partnering with 7-Eleven, we're able to reach a much broader audience than ever before. Many of Nexon's customers are teenagers without access to credit cards. Now they will have a more convenient option to getting the cards."

The two companies worked with InComm to effect the partnership, which, if it's anything like Nexon's previous card sales, should be a big boost for the company. In February 2007, after the Target product placement reached 200,000 users in two weeks, North American players spent $1.6 million on 600,000 virtual products just in MapleStory.

In his talk, which is well worth a read to hear about retailer skepticism and then incredible success, Kim said that  by the holidays this year, Nexon will have distributed over $1 million in cards to over 31,000 locations.