Games Industry Store Policy Concept: Treating Game Cards Like Lotto Scratch Off's At Retail

Games Industry Store Policy Concept: Treating Game Cards Like Lotto Scratch Off's At Retail

Hello All, Today's concept is more so a common sense retail store policy that is long over due. For nearly a decade now game publishers first introduced on retail store shelves like in "Walmart or Best Buy" game cards as a product. Basically a Game Card is a highly decorated piece of card board with a very much lauded crucial hidden code. The code is layered under that latex like silvery substance you see on Lotto game scratch cards. What the game card code buys is either proprietary currency from the game publisher. Or a month's worth subscription to any particular MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) game they may offer.  Here below is a picture from "Sony Online Entertainment" (SOE) game card as how it would sorta appear on a retail store shelf.

Such game cards appear in a card board deck as a promotional display usually within the video game sales department. For years this is how they have been presented and sold at retail spaces. The danger is either unattended minors or professional shop lifters just scratching off the game cards and thus stealing the highly prized codes. When I first learned about such a product within stores I was astonished that these game cards weren't placed under the sales counter. Now years later when I venture into the video games department I see littered scratched off game cards. Plundered like booty by young or older devious gamers that literally game the system (pun intended) by stealing such retail codes. What can be far worse is potentially criminal thieves stealing dozens of these unattended retail game cards and grabbing the codes. Where like a ticket scalper they hawk the codes at a lower price point reselling them creating a cottage "Black Market" before they've ever been sold! What this denotes is a game publisher and the retailer not fully comprehending the jeopardy they're in with legitimate sales. This can drive up incidents of stores returning damaged or in this case tampered merchandise back to their wholesale distributors. Not to mention putting your customers through the ringer by having them explain at your store what happened upon returning the product. Case in point I heard of a testimonial from a community guild mate of mine within our forum site. He went to his local "Walmart" store here in the States and purchased several SOE Game Cards like the one shown above. When he arrived home and began to input the codes he received errors that the codes have already been claimed. I'm sure his frustration only grew from there when he called the SOE customer service department in California. (note they do not have a toll-free phone number) He was told his only recourse is to return the tampered game cards to the retailer. In part as a first time buyer of these tampered game cards he certainly feels jilted which his only fault wasn't being careful. However sincerely this wasn't the customers fault it was both the retailer "Walmart" and that of SOE. Consider how many non-gamers buy these game cards as a gift for children or other adults to enjoy. Only to hand them a tampered used game card without knowing any better. A major insult to injury I say. Thus this Store Policy Concept is born where hopefully those industry insiders or Venture Capitalists that may happen to read my unique blog site take notice. Opportunity is afoot. Below I'll explain three potential solutions that game publishers that can provide guidance to their retail partners. First, train your sales cashiers that ring up your customer transactions to spot a tampered game card. If it's been scratched off by a thief its no good to your customer. This one step alone will save the store a drama with your customer by having to return a tampered game card. A customer service situation averted is a customer service incident saved from ever needing to occur. Second, if game publishers or retailers insist that product placement within a video game department has to stay the same. Then train your store management, stocking employees, and electronic department attendants to keep on the look out of any tampered game cards on store shelves. To immediately remove them as encountered before a hapless customer purchases one. Also, to keep very vigilant of any store thieves stealing codes in that department. They may also take the product into the store bath room and lift potentially dozens of game card codes. Then subsequently dumping the tampered game cards into a random store shelf hallway. To be replaced by staff on its proper shelf not realizing that it was tampered. Or the code thief could just not even care by being that sneaky in effort and leave countless game cards in the bathroom area itself. Third, this is the most Ideal Method to place the game cards behind a sales counter display or secure area shelf. Much like a Lotto game Scratch-Off that are prominently displayed next to the cigarette cartoons and porn magazines. (ie convenience stores like "7-Eleven") This way the game cards aren't a temptation for unattended minors or thieves from stealing the codes. If this means paying retailers extra to place such merchandise behind the secure sales counter it will be worth it. Saving yourselves the headache and your customers as well for being the point man in dealing with such cases of unnoticed code theft in regards to customer service incidents. Basically this is a clear case of a lack of understanding of the gamer sub-culture in popular society. Where game publishers offering a convenience to their customers in a store retail environment. Just having them placed in an unsecured location on a store shelf. This sort of retail store neglect and free for all by thieves has been ongoing for numerous years now. Game publishers are partly to blame for not providing their retail partners clear guidance on product placement. I suppose game publishers have lacked this fore sight since they sell their game currency and game subscriptions in a secure E-Commerce outlet. I hope this games industry store policy concept is of help to major big box retailers and game publishers. Since your small business hobby store owners probably already have the better common sense by avoiding the mistakes your committing at point of sale opportunities.

Humanitarian Opportunity: Homeless Care Packages

Hello All, Now that the Holiday Season is entering full swing with this coming month of December. I thought to myself what sort of concept as a non-profit organization I could envision. I thought about "Homeless Care Packages", however this is neither a new concept nor original I soon found out. Just doing a cursory search online I found numerous socially minded compassionate non-profits down to caring solitary individuals. Doing this form of community service for the homeless in their own locality. Here's an example of a gentleman out of the city of Chicago as a one person outfit. He crowd sourced at "FundAnything.com Homeless Care Packages" (Link) to the tune of $4,554 for a full year. Where his target was $4,500 which he met besides each individual care package cost him $17-$25 a piece. Now figure a full fledged non-profit can stretch those dollars even further bringing down the price per care package. A few years back my hometown of Sarasota here in the State of Florida. Received a notorious rank of the most hostile city for the homeless in the entire nation. Gladly that infamy has passed to a degree for the "City of Sarasota" itself. Everyone frowns upon the presence of the homeless in their own neighborhood. Be it panhandling for hand outs or the associated petty crimes that may occur for those desperate with drug addiction. What I'm advocating here isn't my usual fare of innovative concepts, but rather an opportunity to engage with one's local community. A "Food for Thought" social enterprise regarding a fractional solution to every community that is being affected with homelessness. Especially families with young children sliding from the middle class into poverty stricken lower class economically speaking. The echoes of the so called "Great Recession" feels more like a Depression for some in this 2nd Gilded Age in America. So with that mini-rant out of the way I would like to offer up a notion for those willing and able. As individuals, non-profits (new or established), and corporate entities that pride themselves on community outreach initiatives. To consider "Homeless Care Packages" as a worthy compassionate venture in your community be it in America or elsewhere in the world. If I were to pursue such a venture as a non-profit depending on the budget. I would use a delivery van or a personal vehicle to handout such fully prepped care packages for the homeless. Be it delivered wherever the homeless congregate such as public parks, soup kitchens, or along roadways such an underpass location. I would also devise a basic color coded approach where rather than just a generic care package. I could set up care packages for men and woman, besides that for children be they boys or girls. For example the color green is for men, pink for women, red for boys, white for girls, and gray as the generic care packages. Generic homeless care packages for a non-profit organization could locate community sponsors. Where the imprinted logo in terms of donated sponsor merchandise could be used as handouts. Such as: T-Shirts X-Large size, Baseball Caps, Water Bottles, Poncho, Bandanna, basic First Aid kit, Hand Towel, Notebooks, Pens, cloth weave Shopping Bags, Back Packs, and a Fanny Pack. Many corporate sponsors seeking to promote a particular product such as a food stuff would be suited well for the homeless. That will utilize the merchandise immediately upon receiving such items. A form of complimentary advertising in exchange for practical items they could benefit from in usage. Other generic items in a care package can consist of: Bungie Cords to help carry a load; snack bars; snack food in small bag sizes such as: peanuts, pretzels, and sunflower seeds; paperback travel size Bible; sample travel size bottles of: suntan lotion, tooth paste, hand sanitizer, hand moisturizer; other assorted toiletries; specially created pamphlet of local social service organizations; Ziploc bags, Coupon offers from fast food restaurants; assorted low denomination gift cards from $5-$20 in value for a supermarket, fast food eateries, long distance calling card, thrift stores (ie Goodwill or Salvation Army stores), coin rolls for quarters, dimes, and nickels that can be used at a vending machine. In addition from the generic items for men to include in a homeless care package. I would place a: basic shaving kit, low cost wrist watch, and cologne. In addition from the generic items for woman I would include in a homeless care package. Items such as: hair net / shower cap, a compact makeup mirror, a cuticle set, assorted feminine hygiene products, paperback romance novel (can purchase 2nd hand from a used bookstore to save on cost), and perfume. In addition from the generic items for young boys up to the age of 12 years old. I would include in a homeless care package items such as: candy, candy bars, toy action figures, Matchbox / Hotwheels miniature toy cars, pencils, notebooks, assorted school supplies, coloring books, crayon box set, and children books (new or used). All of it stuffed into a school size back pack for the child. In addition from the generic items for young girls up to the age of 12 years old. I would include in a homeless care package items such as: candy, a toy doll, a plush stuffed animal, arts & crafts materials, assorted school supplies, colorful pencils, notebooks, coloring books, a crayon box set, and children books (new or used). All of it stuffed into a school size back pack for the child. All of the above is in a general sense how I would approach in a fledgling manner such an operation. Be it conducted with a few prepared homeless care packages on a weekly or monthly basis as resources and time permits. These care packages are meant to promote goodwill as an outreach method. In showing that charitable organizations or motivated individuals care about their general welfare in the community. That such persons aren't forgotten nor their plights no matter the cause makes them any less human. The homeless care packages will provide hopefully practical items that aren't cumbersome in everyday use. That will be put to immediate use as the situation presents itself. I hope this socially minded opportunity motivates those willing with sufficient backing to consider such an initiative for themselves. Like any charitable outreach it will teach you patience, humility, empathy, and certainly compassion as such a noble effort is accomplished.

Jewels of Truth Statement: On Mentors

Mentor:

We often in our lives lament actions not taken and things done that were off-center of our true being. The truth of the matter is these pains we carry all too readily can be surrendered and imparted as wisdom to others. Whether one is in such a role of a mentor or not by becoming the mindful teacher to others with their permission. You can yield noble guidance for those who act on such truths. When you the teacher are redeemed in regards to your former pain of speculated lost years. Where your pain is transformed into a solid grace that is tangible in your mind's eye and especially your heart of hearts. By aiding another to fulfill their life story in such a way to save them from themselves. For what is saved on Earth is also saved in Heaven instantly where a union or a bond on the soul level becomes transfixed. The mentor and the willing pupil are both reclaimed by a holy kinship that can last a lifetime. Amen.

                                                                     ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo. "Jewels of Truth: The Wayfarer of the Soul", Volume 2 pg. 106-107

Jewels of Truth Statement: On The Great Mystery

Great Mystery: To those who seek the meaning of life with all  its wonders and secrets. The seeking isn't in the destination nor in the journey. It is truly in the meaning it is prescribed to in one's own heart. If one truly sought the totality that life is, than one is seeking God in his infinite outlets. The intention of the sacred is what will bind you to awakening the Divine within. Thus the "Book of Life" will no longer read as gibberish to one who is devout filled with the "Spirit of God". Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo. "Jewels of Truth: The Wayfarer of the Soul", Volume 2 pg. 66

Jewels of Truth Statements & Favorite Quotes of the Month

Hello All, Here in the western world the celebration of "All Hallows Eve" or "Halloween" is fast approaching. Aside from the vast commercialization of our religious holidays predominantly in Christianity. For modern era Pagan or Wiccan faith traditions dove tails right inline with a Roman Catholic holidays more or less celebrating our ancestors. For devout Catholics its "All Saints Day" on November 1st and "All Souls Day" on November 2nd. In the Wiccan tradition it is called "Samhain" commencing on November 1st in celebration of all dearly departed souls. Be they a living person, or a beloved pet as a sacred spiritual entity. The Wiccans believe that this side of physical creation and the afterlife as dimensions of being are the thinnest. Permitting for communicating with the ancestor souls in a festive observance of their former life, present dignity. I myself I'm not strictly Christian nor am I strictly Pagan. I follow a multi-faith- philosophical tradition based in benevolence (love) in moderation. Many have stated if you believe in everything, you actually believe in nothing. Well my response is everything and nothing make up a living paradox. What does a paradox of everything and nothing represent? The Absolute is the answer, and who is the Absolute? It is to me God(dess) or the God of all gods, be it of the prophet Abraham or of any benevolent faith spiritual or philosophical tradition that upholds the tenets of "Life, Light, & Love".  That is my self-disclosure to my all inclusive spirituality as the eternal seeker of truth by means of a holy beautiful wisdom. Amen. Today's "Jewels of Truth" spiritual wisdom statements as a trio are on the topics of: Eternity, Friends, and Materialism. In the series of #1018-1020, written originally back in February 2010. Enjoy as always these thoughtful statements where you may consider for yourselves what you hold dearest. ------------------------------------------------------------ Eternity: 1018)  Eternity is a non-linear existence in a form best experienced naturally as a soul. That is why it is often compared to Infinity in its best scope and nature of being given endless life. All points of time are fluid as in a state of flux and also paradoxically fixed as a spatial continuum. All points of time and space are accessible to any other point of reference within eternity itself. As a non-linear threshold of entry consummated instantly without predication. It stands on its own self-propelled field of reality or in the case of a soul entity of being itself. In time it will become understood by learned men and woman of scientific understanding. By their robust methodology of understanding the peculiar distilled into the functional machine. By interacting with so many dimensions of this cosmos as defined layers of observable reality. Than until such a moment in time. Eternity will not be merely a topic for meta-physicians, mystics, and poets in describing the scope and breath of creation itself. Eternity, is the lasting memory of God as defined in the Divine Mind of a very real mentally created universe. All that has occurred, is occurring, and will occur is both in constant flux and transposed into a perpetual state that is unmovable. Both are true statements, unlike both are not true in all objectively encountered circumstances in the Infinite-verse of creation itself. Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo. Friends: 1019)  All friends whether known to us in this life or ones that come and go onward as strangers. Will constantly stream into our lives like a carousel. All will have one thing in common be it spoken directly in word or unspoken dearly so by their silent actions. That is mutual kindness, as an observable form of affection like no other that is instantly appreciated by the life that becomes shared in being human. No matter how such a kinship or in  other words friendship is displayed. What matters is the substance of what is given and received by the good humor, joy, comfort during suffering, wisdom, and most of all love that is offered willingly. Friends are life savers be it emotionally speaking or literally in whatever form they may appear. The truest of friends as "Best Friends" come to us as Angels in Disguise keeping us in good company. If we are so fortunate enough in this life to encounter and foster numerous friends in a lifetime. Throughout all the stages of our simple or complicated life on this turbulent Earth. Then we are truly blessed in the sight of God, whether we appreciate this truth or not is another matter in question. God(dess), has loved us so deeply by sending us waves of all sorts of good friends in a lifetime. How we honor such a sacred act of unconditional love as a divine gift is up to us. Do we love one another through friendship or do we become complacent as a social norm taken for granted? Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo. Materialism: 1020)  When one seeks comfort, validation, beauty, and prosperity from materialism they are in fact cheating themselves from a greater glory. Yes, it is true as mortal beings one will need material support in order to have a functional life style. However the manna of the Earth is not the only succor that a person will yearn for purposely or blindly in this life. We are spiritual entities first and than mortal beings second made in the likeness and Image of this splendid Earth. We may accidentally shed a limb or upon the hour of our mortal death relinquish this frame we call our physical body. However we can never forfeit our claim as a spiritual being made in the Image and Likeness of God in spirit as living souls. This birth right is endless without pause, nor subjugation of any other power it is absolute in divine nature. When we say seek first the "Kingdom of God" and all else will be added unto you faithfully. With all your mind, heart, and soul in devotion to God. This means before seeking any material comforts in living a fine life within this present era of the Earth. You are One with God(dess) first and foremost, before you can truly adapt your carnal incarnation to this Earth bound existence. Peace is always meant to be found as a lasting measure in a spiritual understanding. By living in harmony with your brothers and sisters irrespective of the species of origin. Material goods or structural supports are well and good for the short term. Proving costly to maintain in the long term as all things birthed unto this fading Earth shall one day pass away. Even religions will become historically speaking to another future civilization a fascinating mythology to consider for scholars and the layman alike. The eternal in a spiritual contrast is worth keeping in your most prevalent thoughts. When living a practical and if at all possible a fulfilling life for yourselves and your children's children to come. Amen.

---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo. --------------------------------------- We speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. --- 1 Corinthians 2:7 Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. ---Lao Tzu. Encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. ---1 Thessalonians 5:11 Fulfilled life is possible in spite of unfulfilled wishes. ---Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. ---Revelation 22:17 

Jewels of Truth Statements & Favorite Quotes of the Month

Season Greetings, I hope now things are getting close to finally settling down for many of you celebrating Christmas, and other associated religious Holidays. Technically there is also only 2 weeks left until the close of this year 2013 as well. About the only holiday after New Year's for Christians is that of Epiphany on January 6th. Which commercial retailer gift giving took hold fiercely of how the three Magi's paid homage to the baby newborn Christ. With gifts and offerings to the babe born within Bethlehem some 2 thousand plus years ago. By the way I hear two days ago the city of Bethlehem in Israel experienced a rare snow storm dropping up to a foot of snow. (cities of Jerusalem and Ramallah too) Bloomberg: Mideast Storm Dumps Snow on Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah (Link) Today I'll be sharing my usual trio of "Jewels of Truth" spiritual wisdom statements in the series #1024-1026. On the topics of: God(dess) times x2 and on Heaven. Written originally in mid March to early April 2010. As always may you enjoy them as this year comes to a close. Where inner reflection of the topics at hand may give you each a moment of poise in order to expand your spiritual horizons. Independent if you agree or disagree with any of the present to past topics. Namaste. :o) --------------------------------------------------- God(dess): 1024)  Across Creation in many spoken tongues and cultural to intellectual concepts of God exist or have existed in another point in time. With so many sincere names of God(dess) having come into fruition no matter how confusing they may be to comprehend. The simplest to understand and yet the most powerful to enlist of them all is "Love". When "Love" is uttered as a sincere and well intentioned word of power. It can conjure up many sacred acts of benevolence into form and being. A deeper layer than most to such a true name of God(dess) is the very consecrated act of "Loving" as itself. As the "Holy of Holies" is stated in deed be it in common or up to extraordinary actions. Than the "Spirit of God(dess)" has been invoked in kind from the mundane to the majestic. No matter the scale of the intent as it has been materialized upon the world. It is good and just by the impact offered which will be made in absolute according to the "Will of God". All things good whether spoken or performed as acts of "Love" by its purest invocation are of God. As such it has been made flesh through humanity and all other creatures both small to large as children of God throughout the cosmos. Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo. God(dess): 1025)  The highest power in Creation is also the highest Love we call God(dess). Such a supreme and all encompassing power is the source to all life in the universal cosmos and beyond into the realms of Spirit itself. We as humble onlookers of this great majesty can only be in awe with the sheer fortitude to all the diversity mirrored back at us. Be it by fellow living beings or up to environmental landscapes that confront us all by our limited lifetimes on this Earth of ours. Yet as if tourists for a season we pass through these earthly halls with often more sincere questions than having answers for them. Know this, that the Highest Love in God(dess) will not surrender us to inequity or calamity without our expressed permission. We who are the righteous children of God before birth chose our lives down to the smallest detail. With the aid of our brethren as Angels we shall walk this Earth and the Stars as mortals with faith. Our lives are shining beacons across the skies of the spiritual heavens themselves. We are not forsaken, but truly blessed in the presence of God in our constant midst. Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo. Heaven: 1026)  As souls we do not age since we are of God in the eternal form and substance of his almighty being. We do continue to grow and learn from the combined lifetimes we are exposed to as a form of grace. Those souls seeking to sojourn back to their source can not travel there alone, but only grow back into heaven. How does one grow back into heaven you ask? It is by our intentions and our sacred deeds combined by how deeply we love in moderation through the creative forces of life itself. Without "Love" in our hearts for each other and for all other entities as environmental beings within Creation. We forestall our good from being received on an appropriate basis of grace. Where we succumb to a consciousness that is contrary to all that is wholesome and divine in our lives. Our strength lies in our unity with God and his "Holy Will" for the highest good to be always accomplished. The glory of God(dess) within us would not require anything less than obedience to what we hold most sacred or of greatest benevolent importance. Otherwise we delay the inevitable bounty of the "Kingdom of God", but delay does not ever mean denied. Cultivate your souls before the eyes of God in order to maintain the steady stream of blessings in your lives. That is how one grows to heaven right now and not after we have departed from this world. Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo. ---------------------------------------- Never give out while there is hope; but hope not beyond reason, for that shows more desire than judgment. ---William Penn. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ---Matthew 6:21 For it is not you who speaks, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. ---Matthew 10:20