Facebook Credits rival GamePoints scores half a million users in 3 weeks

Those who predicted the disillusion of virtual currencies in the lead up to the launch of Facebook Credits seem to have been mistaken with VentureBeat reporting newcomer GamePoints.com has already amassed half a million users in three weeks.

The new website, which app monetisation specialist Offerpal Media launched on May 4, enables consumers to earn virtual currency that can be redeemed in scores of Facebook games by watching videos, completing surveys and other various non-gaming related activities - much like Amazon's Mechanical Turk operation.

Points win prizes

Of course, this is good news for gamers, especially those in developing countries or without access to online payment methods, although you have to be 13 or over to use the service.

You can also earn GamePoints by using online retailers such as Macy's Overstock, Gap, Buy.com, Snapfish, McAfee, Eastern Mountain Sports, CostPlus and hundreds of others.

And it's not surprising games& aplenty have already signed up, with players able to use their credits in the likes of Farmville and Mafia Wars from Zynga, as well as Playdom's rival release Mobsters.

In all, VentureBeat reports at least twelve studios are supporting the service, with more than twenty one titles planned.

Friend or foe?

The ironic thing is, though GamePoints is now being pitched as a challenger to Facebook Credits, it had been the company's intention to work with the social network.

But while the Facebook Credits brand will give it instant penetration, GamePoints will soon be able to fall back on wider coverage with the site claiming games on other portals such as Hi5, MySpace and Bebo will benefit from the virtual currency moving forward.

[source: VentureBeat]