Direct charges to credit cards can have several detrimental factors based on which branch a consumer banks with and many online security issues, not to mention the potential cut in profits for content publishers. While Valve’s Steam client has operated solely on direct credit card charges for its first few years of operation, the developers recently announced a new “wallet” payment option to become available in addition to the current payment method. Like the Playstation Network, Steam owners have the option to charge pre-paid amounts onto the credit card and have it appear in Steam. Available increments include $5, $10, $25, $50, and $100.
Looks like Valve is copying Sony. This is a good thing and a bad thing. I think I will not put money in the wallet since I get way too tempted by Steam Weekend deals. Right now I really want to buy that Star Wars pack, but I need money for college books. This is good for some people, but me, not so much.