The Great Unbundling: How Xsolla is Disrupting Game Commerce and Empowering Developers [S01E15]

Описание: This is Episode 15 in the Growth Amped podcast series where Chris Hewish - President, Xsolla and Ayan Daftari have an insightful conversation about how Xsolla is revolutionizing global game commerce. With a career spanning three decades in the games industry, Chris shares how Xsolla provides a comprehensive, one-stop solution for game developers—from payments and distribution to user acquisition and retention.

In this episode, we learn about:

The Great Unbundling: Chris details the major industry trend where regulatory changes are forcing platforms to separate game distribution from e-commerce, allowing developers to pursue direct-to-player relationships.

The Merchant of Record Advantage: Discover how Xsolla handles over a thousand global payment methods, acting as the merchant of record to manage taxes, fraud, and compliance, freeing developers to focus on making great games.

Web Shops and Incremental Revenue: Hear real-world examples of developers generating 20-40% incremental revenue by shifting their business to Xsolla’s web shops, leveraging regional pricing and loyalty programs.

The Xsolla Funding Club: Learn about the unique initiative that gives back to the community by helping developers find funding with a success rate 20 times the industry average.

A Paradigm Shift: Chris explains why commerce and business strategy must be integrated into game design from day one to ensure maximum success in the competitive $200 billion gaming market.

This is essential listening for any game developer or industry professional looking to understand the future of monetization and player engagement.

00:00 Introduction to Chris Hewish and Exola
01:55 Chris Hewish's Background in the Gaming Industry
03:46 Understanding Exola's Role in Game Development
05:19 Chris Hewish's Role as President of Exola
06:59 Exola's Scale and Partnerships
07:37 Payment Processing and Exola's Merchant of Record Model
11:09 Misunderstandings in Game Payments
15:30 Trends in the Gaming Industry
21:29 Exola's Go-to-Market Strategy and Funding Club
27:42 Current Successes and Challenges at Exola
31:45 Navigating Opportunities Through Strategic Partnerships
32:37 Maximizing Revenue with Underutilized Features
34:42 The Importance of Regional Pricing in Game Monetization
36:47 Key Metrics for Success in Game Development
41:04 Success Stories: Transformative Impact of Exola
43:27 Guidance and Support for Game Developers
44:51 The Inspiring Journey of Exola's Founder
46:40 Identifying Ideal Customers for Exola
48:19 Strategic Priorities for 2026
53:30 Future Vision: Integrating Development and Marketing
55:38 Choosing Exola: The Competitive Advantage
58:23 The Future of Web Shops and Direct-to-Player Commerce
01:00:17 GA-Podcast Intro Clip.mp4