American Express Offers League of Legends Cards

Starting this Wednesday, American Express will be offering a line of prepaid debit cards emblazoned with characters and original art from Riot Games' League of Legends. The debit cards fall under American Express Serve system and LoL players who use the cards in qualifying purchases can get official Riot Points to spend on in-game items.

You'll get 1,000 RP for registering for the card, 1,000 RP for adding $20 to your Serve account, 1,000 for your first ten purchases with the card, and 10,000 RP for adding $20 to the card via Direct Deposit. The personalized cards can include art of Teemo, Vi, Lux, Twisted Fate, the Summoner's Cup, or the League of Legends logo.

American Express general manager for online and mobile Stefan Happ told the New York Times that the cards are a effort to move beyond Amex's main consumer: rich people. He said that LoL's huge playerbase allows the service to "expand our traditional reach beyond the mass affluent."

Riot Games vice president of eSports Dustin Beck also told the NY Times that partnerships like the ones with American Express will help Riot expand to "TV and other mediums." It's good for Riot Games and should help eSports change its perception as a mainstream force.

"There is a great opportunity for brands here, particularly brands that make sense for our players, said Beck.