Pre-paid PS3 network cards to launch in Japan

Sony Japan will be offering pre-paid PlayStation Network cards across Japan in June.

However, Sony UK says there are currently no plans for the initiative in Europe.

The "PlayStation Network Tickets" will offer those of you without a credit card the chance to purchase things from the PlayStation Store. They'll come in four sizes: JPY 1,000 (GBP 4.18), JPY 3,000 (GBP 12.53), JPY 5,000 (GBP 20.87), and JPY 10,000 (GBP 41.75).

Japanese gamers can get the cards from one of thousands of stores across the country, where they'll access a special site through a terminal in the shop. Once they cough up the dosh they'll be issued with a 12-digit number that they'll enter into the Network to receive their funds.

It follows news from earlier in the year that the 1.5 firmware update to the Japanese PS3 would support Edy money, or e-money. This is read into the machine using the PaSoLi USB device that Sony rolled out across the region.

We're not sure if having more ways to spend our money is a good thing, which is why we insist on being paid in Hob-Nobs.