TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, today announced mopay as its newest member.
mopay is the Payment and Mobile Messaging unit of MindMatics AG. Founded in Germany in 2000, the group has more than 100 employees at locations in London, Munich, Palo Alto and Beijing.
mopay enables vendors of virtual, digital and physical goods to bill charges directly to consumers’ mobile phone and land line accounts. The variety of goods ranges from membership fees for online communities; fee-based access to songs or videos; and “virtual items”” in online games. The company’s blue-chip customer base boasts major brands such as Bigpoint, Gameforge, Nexon, Sulake and Travian.
The system itself is incredibly simple and secure to use: the user clicks on the “mopay”” icon when purchasing on the Web, which opens a payment window and allows the user to enter their mobile phone number. The user instantly receives a PIN number via SMS on their mobile device which they need to enter in the mopay window to confirm the transaction. There is no need to enter personal information or credit card details.
mopay connects to more than 300 mobile network operators in over 80 countries across the globe. With 100 percent mobile penetration in the Western world and beyond mopay represents the most widespread payment option available, reaching more than 3.3 billion people. Furthermore, in addition to offering a fast and easy billing option for online purchases, vendors can use mopay’s payment solutions to initiate a mobile dialogue with their global target groups.
Michael Englmaier, Commercial Director at MindMatics Ltd, operator of the mopay payment platform, explains the company’s reasons for joining TIGA:
“The UK is home to some of the most progressive games developers and publishers in Europe. Furthermore, mobile payments in the UK are outperforming other European countries when it comes to an increasing acceptance level. mopay is joining TIGA to further promote mobile payments as an ideal monetisation tool for online games. In return, mopay can provide advice to UK games developers and publishers looking to expand into other markets. This partnership underscores the importance of the UK gaming industry for mopay as well as for the global gaming industry.””
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO stated:
“TIGA is delighted to welcome mopay to the TIGA community. The company’s mobile payment platform has already attracted many notable brands in the social gaming space and we are looking forward to working closely with mopay to assist them in reaching even more. We believe that by working together we can make the UK gaming industry stronger and more successful.””
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Notes to editors:
About mopay:
mopay is a global leader in innovative payment solutions for online merchants. mopay’score platform enables merchants of virtual, digital and physical goods to bill charges directly to consumers’ cell phone and land line accounts. mopay operates in more than 80 countries across the globe, reaching more than 3.3 billion consumers. The company has a blue-chip customer base including major brands such as Bigpoint, Gameforge, Nexon, Sulake and Travian. mopay, part of the MindMatics group, has more than 100 employees at locations in London, Munich, Palo Alto and Beijing. For more information, visit www.mopay.com.
About TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership. TIGA was awarded ‘Trade Association of the Year’ and the ‘Member Recruitment Award’ at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2010. TIGA has also been named as a finalist in the 2010 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) National Management and Leadership Awards in the category of ‘The Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award (SME)’. TIGA is an Investors in People organisation.
TIGA’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business. We focus on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members. This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.
For further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on 07875939643: or email richard.wilson@tiga.org; or contact David Hodges on 02070911653