Sony Loops In New Retailers On PSN Cards

Sony is expanding distribution of its PlayStation Network cards, which can be used to purchase PSN content, to more retailers ahead of the holiday season. The cards will be available at Walmart, Best Buy, and some Sam’s Club outlets beginning in October. The cards will be available at Barnes & Noble College Bookstores locations in November 2008. Earlier this year, Sony announced it would sell the prepaid cards, available in $20 and $50 denominations, at 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, and they're also currently offered at Pamida, Meijer Superstores and Speedway stores. Major game retailer GameStop is still conspicuously absent from the rollout, as recent media reports have found that GameStop needs to implement point-of-sale upgrades in order to activate the cards before it can distribute them, and that such upgrades won't be implemented until sometime in 2009. "The PlayStation Network Cards are an easy way for PSP and PS3 fans to obtain great games, movies, TV shows and other entertainment through PlayStation Network and we are pleased to offer them at major retailers nationwide," says PSN Operations director Eric Lempel. "With the holiday season right around the corner, these cards are an ideal gift option for friends and family, whether they are movie aficionados, dedicated gamers or something in between."