Zynga, Amex launch prepaid debit card with in-game rewards

Newsbrief: Zynga and American Express have teamed up again to offer a new prepaid debit card that gives consumers virtual rewards in social games when they make purchases with the card. The credit card company previously partnered with Zynga two years ago to offer virtual goods/currency for social games through its Membership Rewards program. This new initiative introduces a co-branded debit card and works with American Express' Serve program, which is designed to accommodate offline, online, and mobile payments. Players can register for the Zynga Serve Rewards program to receive the co-branded debit card in the mail. After they add money to their Serve account, they can use the card anywhere American Express cards are accepted. As they use the card, they receive virtual rewards in Zynga's FarmVille (CastleVille and CityVille support is planned, too).