Sony has patented a PlayStation feature that would allow players to use a credit card to make purchases through the controller. The proposed technology would use a near-field communication chip to enable contactless payments, similar to tap-to-pay transactions used at retail terminals.
Today, purchasing games through a console can require players to type in passwords or payment information using a controller, which can be cumbersome.
Under the proposed system, players could tap a phone or payment card against the controller. The console would then verify the payment details and process the transaction.
Looming Problems with Friendly Fraud
Sony’s patent application, as reported by Gizmodo, centers around the idea that gamers are hungry for this kind of convenience. In the patent’s description, Sony notes: “Video game players have found it desirable to store payment method information and account information such as credit account information… in their accounts for facilitating and managing video game purchases, video game credits, in-app purchases, and the like.”
A contactless payment option could also create questions around unauthorized purchases. For example, a teenager could use a parent’s payment card to make a purchase without permission, potentially resulting in a dispute or so-called friendly fraud.
“This would effectively exacerbate the friendly fraud problem that merchants have today by moving it into the ‘card present’ arena,” said Don Apgar, Director of Merchant Payments at Javelin Strategy & Research. “Maybe if NFC was restricted to digital wallets, that would provide some level of authentication that the wallet was unlocked to show that payment was authorized by the cardholder.”
Enhancing the Security
Other technology companies have incorporated additional authentication measures into contactless payments. Apple uses biometric authentication and other security measures to verify a user’s identity before authorizing certain purchases.
PlayStation consoles do not have cameras, but Sony could require users to register a payment card in advance and keep it securely on file. Individual purchases could then require a PIN, password, or another form of authentication.
The patent doesn’t indicate whether Sony plans to implement the technology or, if it does, what additional measures it might take. Those details could help determine how contactless payments would work in practice and how unauthorized purchases would be handled.
“The thinking is solid from the user experience standpoint, but it ignores the realities of card payments,” Apgar said. “My guess is that if Sony does roll out this feature, the clock will be ticking until it disables the feature.”
