Namco Brings Pre-paid Namcoins to Arcades

Image of a Namcoin.

While credit card-sized pre-paid cash cards are nothing new, Namco's latest invention promises to offer similar functionality but in the form of an arcade-friendly coin. The company announced on Friday "Namcoin," a pre-paid IC coin that can be used in most arcade machines in Namco arcade facilities.

Developed as a joint project between Namco and Asahi Seiko, Namcoins are coin-shaped devices with built-in IC chips. Arcade goers charge the coins using ¥1,000, ¥2,000 and ¥5,000 bills. The coins are then used by inserting them directly into "Coin Selectors" which are attached to game machines. The Coin Selectors work with standard cash as well.

The coins are usable only for one day. You'll have to use all your charge before the day ends, or have your remaining charge returned to you as real cash.

Namco notes that the coins are capable of operating not just at the standard ¥100 per play of most arcade games, but also down to the ¥10 level. This will allow operators to hold pricing promotions, for instance offering discounts based off time and day.

On test at Namco Land Hiratsuka since May 15, the coins will soon be seeing actual deployment. Namco plans on bringing the coins to Namco Land Shibuya and Namco Wonder Park Heroes Base in Kanagawa by Fall.