Recent numbers from Maktoob’s cashU service, the largest internet payment system in the Middle East and Africa, show that user payments for online multiplayer games account for over 60% of their revenue.
cashU was launched some years ago to provide an easy online payment system for people without access to credit cards. At first they used to provide a credit card number that people could use on all sites, even those that weren’t affiliated with cashU, but that option was stopped after some time, and now users can only pay on cashU affiliated services.
Apparently some of the people who use the service the most are young Arab online gamers, who use it to make payments on the biggest names in online multiplayer gaming – World of Warcraft, Maplestory, and Runescape, which have a multi-million user base globally, and a loyal fan base in the Middle East.
Multiplayer games have been surging in popularity throughout the world in general, and the Arab world is no exception, which is making it a target for expansion for a number of established games, like Maplestory which has a Middle East version planned for Q4 of this year, and Travian that supports Arabic.
We also reported a couple of days ago on how MBC Group is launching a new project with Chinese CDC Games, which consists of an online Arab gaming portal, in an attempt to lure online Arab gamers and get a share of the rising market.
Massively multiplayer games have explored many different distribution models, and many of them can be freely downloaded and experienced for a trial period. Typically the user only pays for a subscription fee, but there exists a third party market for virtual gold, which can be used to buy armor, weaponry, and spells.
# More: Maktoob Business
the site seems not up to date. the reseller for Tunisia has a dead link. after googling his name i found he was actually in Algeria.
for me, it’s a fake reseller.
the site seems not up to date. the reseller for Tunisia has a dead link. after googling his name i found he was actually in Algeria.
for me, it’s a fake reseller.
Good Move
Good Move
i wish if they revealed the actual figures of 60%. A comparision with previous year would also give a better understanding of the growth.
Thank you
i wish if they revealed the actual figures of 60%. A comparision with previous year would also give a better understanding of the growth.
Thank you