PlaySpan launches game-monetization service

A quicker route to in-game item sales

Social games are a bit of a mixed bag. They are a lot of fun to play, and on the business end, they have the potential to bring in large audiences. The rub for game developers, however, is making some money in the process. Making a profit from social games can be a bit of a sticky widget. This has created an opportunity for companies to provide developers with a comprehensive, and easy-to-implement solution.

Silicon Valley-based PlaySpan, which Karl Mehta founded in 2005, hopes to be  just that tool. It launched Friday a “monetization as a service” platform. The service enables game makers to generate revenue off of games by giving them the ability to set up an in-game, paid-item service, in a matter of days. 

Now game developers can charge for virtual goods purchases by accepting credits bought by users in retail stores. The cards, which can be used in multiple games, are available in over 50,000 retail locations across North America.

Zynga, the popular social gaming company, also offers gamers a similar way to buy credits in retail shops.   

The idea of getting users to begin playing for free but then charging them as they advance may sound a little bit specious at first.

But it's hard to overlook the sales. Revenue from items purchased on games, like FarmVille and The Sims, is expected to be more than $2 billion next year. This year, the market is estimated to total $1.6 billion, according to a report by Inside Virtual Goods.

PlaySpan just raised $18 million in a Series C round, in August of this year, bringing total funding raised, to about $42 million, from investors,  including Easton Capital Group, Menlo Ventures, STIC International. and Novel TMT Ventures Limited.