Report: Gamers dropping credit cards for pre-pay

According to a new report from research firm NewZoo (via MCV), gamers are heading more towards the pre-pay route and giving up on using credit cards.

Last year, 20 percent of gamers had paid for content using their credit card, down YoY from 26 percent in 2010, with a similar report from Ukash that suggested nine out of ten consumers preferred an alternative to credit cards.

David Hunter, CEO of UKash, said: "It’s far from game over for cash. We’re seeing demand from publishers and gamers for alternative payment."

Ukash, as well as Microsoft, PaySafeCard and InComm, have seen sales of pre-paid cards rise YoY from £90 million in 2010 to £125 million last year.

All three of the platform holders - Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo - use pre-pay cards for PlayStation Network, Xbox Live and respective services for Wii and DS family.