Upfront Payment System

The Merso Upfront payment system enables users to purchase in-game items in a single transaction while maintaining full compatibility with game mechanics and existing marketplace flows.

This payment method follows a standard purchase model, optimized for games that require seamless, user-friendly payment experiences through Stripe's secure payment infrastructure.

🎯 Payment Overview

The Upfront payment system operates on a 100% immediate payment structure, where users pay the full item price at the time of purchase and instantly receive full ownership of the item.

There are no installment plans, subscriptions, or weekly payment commitments involved.

Step 1: ItemSelection

When a user decides to purchase an item, they select the Upfront payment option in the game marketplace. Both PNPL and Upfront options are presented side by side, allowing users to choose their preferred payment method.

Step 2: Payment Initialization

The game initiates the payment flow by calling the Merso API with the following parameters:

• Item details (ID, name, price)

• Player information (email, level, country)

• Payment mode: UPFRONT

The protocol creates a Stripe PaymentIntent and returns a clientSecret for the game to complete the payment on the frontend.

Step 3: Payment Execution

The user pays 100% of the item price through Stripe's secure payment form.

• Payment is processed via credit/debit card

• Funds are captured immediately (capture_method: automatic)

• The full amount is transferred to the game company through Merso's payment infrastructure

Step 4: NFT Transfer to User

Once payment is confirmed:

• The item is registered in the system with the player as the current owner

• Full ownership and control are granted immediately

• A confirmation email is sent to the player

• No subscriptions, escrow, or collateralization occurs

Game receive the confirmation and can give ingame asset to the user.

💰 Payment Flow

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    UPFRONT PAYMENT FLOW                         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                 │
│  1. User selects item in game marketplace                       │
│     ┌─────────────────┐                                         │
│     │   Game UI       │                                         │
│     └─────────────────┘                                         │
│              │                                                  │
│              ▼                                                  │
│  2. Game calls Merso API with paymentMode: "UPFRONT"            │
│     ┌─────────────────┐        ┌─────────────────┐              │
│     │   Game Server   │───────►│   Merso API     │              │
│     └─────────────────┘        └─────────────────┘              │
│              │                          │                       │
│              │                          ▼                       │
│              │                 ┌─────────────────┐              │
│              │                 │     Stripe      │              │
│              │                 └─────────────────┘              │
│              │                          │                       │
│              ▼                          ▼                       │
│  3. User pays 100% via Stripe payment form                      │
│     ┌─────────────────┐        ┌─────────────────┐              │
│     │   User (Card)   │──100%─►│   Game Company  │              │
│     └─────────────────┘        └─────────────────┘              │
│              │                                                  │
│              ▼                                                  │
│  4. Item ownership transferred to user                          │
│     ┌─────────────────┐        ┌─────────────────┐              │
│     │   Game Item     │───────►│   Player        │              │
│     └─────────────────┘        └─────────────────┘              │
│              │                                                  │
│              ▼                                                  │
│  5. Confirmation email sent                                     │
│     ┌─────────────────┐                                         │
│     │   📧 Email      │                                         │
│     └─────────────────┘                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

📧 Email Confirmation

Upon successful payment, the user receives a confirmation email with:

• Purchase confirmation

• Item name and price paid

• Full ownership acknowledgment

• No future payment obligations reminder

💡 Key Benefits

For Users

• Instant Ownership: Full item ownership immediately after purchase.

• No Restrictions: Use, trade, or sell the in game item from day one.

• No Installments: One-time payment, no future obligations.

• Secure Payment: Stripe-powered secure card processing.

For Game Companies

• Immediate Revenue: Full payment received instantly.

• Simplified Flow: No subscriptions, escrow, or loan logic.

• Unified Integration: Same API supports PNPL and Upfront.

• Lower Support Overhead: No default or payment tracking required.

• Zero Credit Risk: No exposure to user defaults.

For Protocol

• Simplified Execution: Atomic payment and item transfer.

• No Credit Risk: No exposure to user defaults.

• Unified Infrastructure: Shares authentication, API, and payment logic with PNPL.

• Stripe Integration: Leverages Stripe's secure payment processing.