The Xsolla Insider - Edition #18

Welcome to the 18th edition of our biweekly #gamesindustry newsletter!

This edition is packed with the latest gaming industry updates, expert insights, and actionable strategies to help you scale, monetize, and thrive in 2025 and beyond.

Discover new opportunities, hear from industry leaders, and stay ahead of the curve as we explore what’s next for game developers and publishers worldwide. Let’s push the boundaries of gaming—together.

Be sure to check out our more comprehensive quarterly data guide, The Xsolla Report! Download it today for exclusive insights into global gaming industry data.

Global Games Industry News

???? Video Game History Foundation Launches Digital Library to Preserve Gaming’s Past

The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) has launched its digital library in early access, offering over 30,000 curated files and 1,500 searchable, out-of-print magazines. Highlights include E3 guidebooks, FromSoftware promos, and Myst footage. Founded in 2017, VGHF aims to preserve gaming history through a vast archive.

?? ?? Konami revises forecasts as profits increase 38% to $560m

Konami's revenue rose 22% to ￥310.8 billion ($2B) and profits increased 38% to ￥87.1 billion ($560M) in the nine months ending December 31, 2024. Digital Entertainment led growth, driven by the Silent Hill 2 remake, eFootball, and baseball titles. Konami revised its full-year forecast upward and is developing Metal Gear Solid Delta and new Silent Hill projects.

????? Empowering Game Developers: How Xsolla is shaping the future of the gaming industry

Xsolla’s Chief Communications & Chief Strategy Officer, Chris Hewish, recently visited Davos, Switzerland, where global leaders congregate to shape the future at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.? During his time there, Chris spoke with CBS News about how Xsolla is transforming the video game industry - empowering developers, enhancing gamer connections, and paving the way for the future of gaming.

????January’s top grossing mobile games

January saw Honor of Kings reclaim the top spot with ~$193M in IAP revenue. PUBG Mobile bounced back to ~$135M, while Royal Match hit a record $145M. Genshin Impact doubled earnings, and Whiteout Survival continued steady growth. COD: Mobile re-entered the top 20, while Pokémon TCG Pocket saw a sharp decline.

???? Mobile Gaming IAP Revenue Hits $80.9B in 2024 as Market Rebounds

Mobile gaming IAP revenue grew 4% to $80.9B in 2024, driven by strategy and RPG genres. Downloads fell 6% globally, though simulation games saw growth. Monopoly Go was the top-grossing game, while Free Fire led downloads. Gaming M&A activity rebounded, and mobile development increased for the first time since 2020.

????Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket rockets past $500m in 22 days more than Pokémon Go

Pokémon TCG Pocket hit $500M in revenue just 97 days after launch, trailing Pokémon Go’s 75-day milestone. The Space-Time Smackdown expansion doubled daily spending, hitting a peak of $11M. A new trading system also fueled engagement, though restrictions faced criticism. The game’s monetization and content updates continue to drive strong earnings.

???? Gaming Industry Hiring Matches Layoffs as Job Market Stabilizes

After severe layoffs in early 2024, gaming job cuts dropped below 700 per quarter by late 2024. Amir Satvat’s data suggests hiring now matches layoffs, with 13,500 hires annually in core game development. While 35,000 job seekers compete for limited roles, 2025 could be a net positive hiring year if trends hold.

???? ESA Warns Trump Tariffs Could Harm U.S. Gaming Industry and Players

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) warns that new Trump administration tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico could hurt the U.S. gaming industry by increasing costs for hardware and accessories. While digital games are exempt, the ESA urges a transparent consultation to prevent economic harm to developers and players.

Partner Success Story

Ask

New Launcher & Payments Boost Avatara's Reach

Challenge

NX3 Games' Avatara is a blockchain MMORPG bringing blockchain and NFT benefits to a wider audience. The team wanted to increase its availability, stabilize PC operations, block fraudulent payments, and integrate local payment methods globally.

Solution

To boost AVATARA’s reach, we added a launcher to enhance game access, while Xsolla Publisher Account improved analytics and payout transparency. Our Payments solution and anti-fraud protection enabled global checkout with local payment options.

Result

NX3 GAMES successfully released AVATARA’s PC version in January 2023. With Xsolla’s help, NX3 reduced fraud risk, expanded payment coverage, and simplified payment management.

By The Numbers

45k+

Launcher installations

69%

Average conversion rate

766k+

Launcher sessions

45k+

Successful payments made

34k+

Active (authorized or registered) users

Technical Aspects Included:

Xsolla Payments

• Gave NX3GAMES access to over 700 payment methods including over 240 alternative methods actively used by their audience.
• Turned more players into paying users by incentivizing their participation with a frictionless payment experience.
• Received best-in-class fraud protection built just for the games industry to protect purchases.

Xsolla Launcher

• Enabled a customizable launcher using Figma so NX3 Games could engage with their audience through news, videos, blog posts, and more. Boosted Nx3 Games’ in-game economy by enabling them to sell virtual goods and currencies and cross-promote their titles within the launcher

If you have a vision of making your game available to more players worldwide, Xsolla is ready to work with you on your game’s long-term success with solutions like Xsolla Payments and Launcher.

Existing Xsolla partners can start immediately from their Publisher Account. Or,? contact one of our experts to discuss how Xsolla’s solutions can drive your success.

Xsolla Updates

Adding News Blocks to your game’s site can drive organic traffic, boost engagement, and increase revenue by providing regular updates on game improvements, events, and promotions. Benefits include building player trust, creating urgency, and supporting monetization. Fresh content improves SEO, keeps players engaged, and funnels traffic to your in-game store, enhancing retention and sales.

As digital payments evolve, seamless, secure transactions are essential for gaming success. Key trends include digital wallets expanding financial access, real-time payments for instant transactions, A2A payments for flexibility, biometric authentication for security, and AI-driven fraud prevention to enhance conversions. Xsolla Payments helps developers optimize global payment solutions.

Mobile payments offer speed, security, and convenience, making them essential for modern gaming. With digital wallets, NFC, and QR payments, transactions are faster and safer. The global mobile payment market is booming, expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2027. Xsolla helps developers integrate seamless payment solutions, enhancing player experience, security, and revenue growth.

With iOS 18, Apple Pay is no longer limited to Safari, allowing payments on any browser or device using a QR code scan. This update enhances user experience, security, and conversion rates while reducing cart abandonment. Xsolla Pay Station has already integrated this change, enabling game developers to reach more customers effortlessly with secure and convenient transactions.

With millions of minors gaming worldwide, parental controls help balance safety and fun by limiting screen time, blocking inappropriate content, and managing in-app purchases. Developers must ensure compliance with laws like COPPA and GDPR to protect young players. Xsolla’s Parental Controls offer age verification, spending limits, and secure communication, fostering safe and transparent gaming experiences.

We're gearing up for Game Developers Conference 2025! Join us this March as we showcase cutting-edge payment, monetization, and distribution solutions designed for game developers worldwide. Let’s connect, explore new opportunities, and level up your game’s success! Book a meeting today!

Welcome to The Xsolla Report!

Get the insights you need to drive growth with the newest edition of The Xsolla Report! Packed with data forecasts, emerging trends, and expert analysis, this guide helps you craft winning strategies and stay ahead in the gaming industry.

What’s inside:

• Women in Gaming: Explore the rising impact of women in gaming and their pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry.
• The Mobile Gaming Landscape: Delve into the evolving mobile gaming market and understand its transformation in a post-DMA world.
• Mastering Mobile Web Shops: Discover how direct-to-consumer strategies are revolutionizing success in the mobile gaming space.

Elevate your strategy with actionable insights—get the report today!

Stay ahead—download the report now and unlock new opportunities for your gaming business!

Where Will Xsolla Be Next?

Ready to level up your game business? Want to see how your game business can level up its monetization strategy? Connect with our experts at upcoming gaming and fintech events to explore how Xsolla’s solutions can boost revenue and drive long-term success. Let’s grow together.

• DICE Summit 2025, February 11-13: Increase your value with us in Vegas!
• Guildford Games Festival, February 14: Engage with us in England!
• Mobile World Congress, March 3-6: Banter with us in Barcelona!
• Tokyo Indie Games Summit, March 8-9: Join us in Japan!
• GDC 2025, March 17-21: Save a spot with us early in SF!

Uncover how Xsolla, acting as your MoR, enables game sales in 200+ markets with secure and compliant transactions, driving your business growth.

Xsolla Careers

Turn Your Passion for Gaming Into a Career at Xsolla! We’re looking for innovative, driven individuals to help shape the future of gaming. Whether in game development, marketing, or technology, you'll have the opportunity to make an impact, grow your career, and work on exciting projects—all with competitive salaries and room to thrive.

Ready to level up your career? Join us and help redefine the gaming industry!

??Hot open roles:

• Admin & Care Manager, On-site: Kuala Lumpur - Learn more
• Anaplan Model Builder, Hybrid: Los Angeles - Learn more
• Application Security Specialist, Onsite: Kuala Lumpur - Learn more
• Assistant Controller, Hybrid: Los Angeles - Learn more
• Celonis Data Engineer, On-site: Kuala Lumpur - Learn more
• Community/Social Media Manager - Web3, Hybrid: Los Angeles - Learn more
• Data Warehouse Architect, Hybrid: Montreal - Learn more
• Data Warehouse Architect, Remote: Belarus/Serbia - Learn more
• Global Banking and Payments Director, Remote - Learn more
• Growth Marketing Manager, Remote - Learn more
• Head of Publisher Relations, Remote - Learn more
• Internal Communications Manager, Hybrid: Los Angeles - Learn more
• Junior Accountant, On-site: Beijing - Learn more
• Motion Graphic Artists, Remote - Learn more

???? Internship Opportunities

• Internship for Product Management - Onsite: Beijing [APPLY HERE]
• Internship for Office Management - Onsite: Malaysia [APPLY HERE]

Don't see a role that matches your skillset? That's okay! Email us your resume at [email protected] and we'll go from there.

Longevity. Opportunity. Vision. Enjoy the game! ???

Read about our mission here: https://xsolla.com/equal-access-for-everyone

Speak with our experts here: https://xsolla.com/events/talk-with-an-expert/booking

Sign up for an Xsolla Influencer Account to get paid for promoting games you love HERE

Stay ahead of the game with updates on the latest drops, deals, and rewards on X.LA HERE

Follow us

#XsollaTeam #JoinXsolla #openroles #hiring #hiringnow #jobs #jobhunt?#hiringnow #careers #jobopportunity #gamesindustry #gaming #gamedevelopment #fintech #commerce #gamecommerce #mobilegames #Xsolla #XsollaInsider #revenue #gamingindustry #gamedev #indie #indiedev #indiegame #EqualAccessForEveryone

Welcome to the family, son.

The #XsollaTeam