Gamers Can Now Buy Facebook Credits in 32 More Currencies, Including the Chinese Yuan

Today Facebook announced that Facebook Credits can now be purchased in 32 additional currencies, including the Chinese Yuan, Korean Won, Israeli Shekel, and Singapore dollar, bringing the total number of supported currencies to 47. Facebook also plans to up the number of alternative payment through which users can pay for the Credits to 50. These newly supported currencies and payment options will make it easier for international gamers to become paying customers. The ability to monetize users from around the world is one of the core benefits of Credits to developers, so its fitting that Facebook would make this announcement today on the deadline for all Facebook games to move to Facebook Credits as their exclusive payment method. Users can select which currency they see prices in and pay with by mousing to the top right corner of Facebook, and clicking Account -> Credits Balance -> Preferred Currency. If a gamer's home currency isn't supported, they can still use American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa and PayPal, which Facebook accepts worldwide. They could also use one of the alternative payment methods, which include money transfers through services such as Western Union, mobile payments by Boku or Zong, debit systems, and some online currencies such as MOLePoints. Still, the ability to buy Credits with any local payment form should increase the likelihood that users from these countries will monetize. This may be especially true for younger users who can't access credit cards or other financial instruments. Smaller developers should benefit from the expanded currency options the Credits support, because they don't have the resources to secure international payment options for their proprietary in game currencies. Meanwhile, large developers that already have users bases in the newly supported countries should find it easier to get them to purchase virtual goods. Support for the Chinese Yuan The inclusion of the Chinese Yuan as a supported currency is a bit curious, since Facebook is banned in China. Though the Yuan is an option in the Preferred Currency selector, it isn't mentioned in the announcement, nor is it included in the Help Center document listing supported currencies. Support for the Yuan will allow Chinese using Facebook while abroad to see prices in a currency they're familiar with. It could also allow developers to monetize small percentage of the country who are hackers, government officials, or that can otherwise circumvent the Great Firewall of China. There's also the outside chance that support for the Yuan could be a building block in a strategy to launch Facebook in China. As the last developers switch over to Credits today, anything Facebook can do to smooth the dip in revenues that may occur when users are forced to adopt new purchase habits will help its standing with the developer community and the long term health of the Platform. Below is the list of newly supported currencies: Argentinian Peso (ARS) Bolivian Boliviano (BOB) Brazilian Real (BRL) Chinese Yuan (CNY) Costa Rican Colon (CRC) Czech Koruna (CZK) Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) Honduran Lempira (HNL) Hungarian Forint (HUF) Iceland Krona (ISK) Indian Rupee (INR) Israeli Shekel (ILS) Korean Won (KRW) Macau Patacas (MOP) Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) Mexican Peso (MXN) New Zealand Dollar (NZD) Nicaraguan Cordoba (NIO) Paraguayan Guarani (PYG) Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN) Philipino Peso (PHP) Polish Zloty (PLN) Qatari Rials (QAR) Romanian Leu (RON) Russian Ruble (RUB) Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) Singapore Dollar (SGD) South African Rand (ZAR) Taiwan Dollar (TWD) Thai Baht (THB) UAE Dirham (AED) Uruguayan Peso (UYU)

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Gamers Can Now Buy Facebook Credits in 32 More Currencies, Including the Chinese Yuan

Josh Constine

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Josh Constine