The Xsolla Insider - Edition #19
Welcome to the 19th edition of our biweekly #gamesindustry newsletter!
This edition brings you the latest trends, expert insights, and strategies to help you grow, monetize, and succeed in 2025 and beyond. Whether you're an indie developer or a global publisher, we've got the tools and knowledge to help you navigate the evolving gaming landscape.
Stay ahead of market shifts, discover new opportunities, and gain key takeaways from industry leaders shaping the future of gaming.
For a deeper dive into global gaming trends, check out the latest Xsolla Report—your go-to guide for data-driven insights and strategic foresight. Download it today!
Global Games Industry News
????PC game sales hit $1.09bn on Epic Games Store in 2024
PC gaming is thriving! Epic Games Store reported a massive $1.09 billion in PC game sales last year, showing just how strong digital storefronts continue to be. With 80+ million monthly active users and over 700 new games added, it’s clear that players and developers alike are embracing the platform.
This growth signals an evolving landscape where competition, exclusivity deals, and player engagement strategies are shaping the future of digital game distribution.
???Video Game History Foundation: We need more 'internal champions' within studio structures
The Video Game History Foundation is urging studios to take a more active role in preserving gaming’s past. With many classic games and development insights at risk of being lost, the industry needs internal champions—advocates within studios who push for documentation, archival efforts, and historical preservation.
As games continue to evolve, their legacy shouldn’t disappear. Proper preservation benefits not just historians but also developers, researchers, and future generations of creators.
???? Skybound Entertainment expands its universe with Maple Media acquisition
Big moves in the gaming and entertainment space! Skybound Entertainment , the powerhouse behind The Walking Dead and Invincible, just expanded its universe by acquiring Maple Media, a leading mobile game publisher.
This strategic move strengthens Skybound’s presence in mobile gaming, adding titles like Tony Hawk’s Skate Jam and Mahjong Titan to its portfolio.?
With Skybound’s multi-platform storytelling and Maple Media’s mobile-first approach, we’re looking at an exciting fusion of content, community, and commerce.
???? Abertay University launches ￡9 million lab to boost Scotland's games and entertainment sectors
Abertay University has unveiled the ￡9 million ($11.3m) CoSTAR Realtime Lab in Dundee, a cutting-edge hub designed to drive innovation in Scotland’s screen, gaming, immersive, and performance industries.
Part of the ￡75.6m ($95.2m) UKRI-backed CoSTAR Network, the lab, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and others, fosters industry-academic collaboration. With a second studio opening in 2025, it aims to push creative boundaries, fuel entrepreneurship, and position Scotland as a leader in creative technology.
???? Meeple Corp secures ￡500,000 funding to bring tabletop games to digital platforms
Newly formed UK-based digital board game studio Meeple Corp has secured ￡500,000 ($629k) in pre-seed funding to bring iconic tabletop games to digital platforms. Backed by Hiro Capital, The Mini Fund, and industry angels, the startup will launch its debut game, Kingdomino Digital, later this year.
Founded by industry veterans Matt Hilson and Harri Elmer, Meeple Corp aims to enhance game communities and push technological innovation in digital board gaming.
???? PS5 experiences record sales during holiday period, PlayStation revenues reach $11bn
Sony reported strong financial results for the nine months ending December 31, 2024, driven by record-breaking PS5 sales during the holiday season. Revenue in Games & Network Services rose 13.8% YoY to ￥3.6 trillion ($23.4B), with PS5 shipments hitting 9.5M in Q3. Monthly active users reached 129M, and digital content sales grew 13.6%.
Sony raised its FY2025 sales forecast, anticipating continued growth with upcoming titles Ghost of Yōtei and Death Stranding 2.
???? Astro Bot takes home the gold at 2025 DICE Awards
Team ASOBI 's Astro Bot won Game of the Year at the 28th annual DICE Awards in Las Vegas, also securing wins for Animation, Technical Achievement, Family Game, and Game Design. Helldivers II claimed four awards, including Online and Action Game of the Year, while Indiana Jones & the Great Circle and Balatro earned three wins each.
Other winners included Tekken 8, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and Animal Well for Game Direction.
????? How Skydance devs straddled the massive performance gap between Meta Quest and PSVR 2 | Shawn Kittelsen interview
Skydance Interactive 's Behemoth, a first-person VR action-adventure, continues to evolve with major updates since its December 2024 launch on PSVR2, PCVR, and Meta Quest. Creative director Shawn Kittelsen highlighted the game’s technical challenges, from optimizing performance across platforms to enhancing immersion with physics-based combat.
With a dedicated VR team of 100, Skydance plans ongoing Behemoth support while exploring new immersive gaming experiences.
Partner Success Story
Ask
Warner Bros. Lifted LOTRO Sales and Cut Fraud
Challenge
Warner Bros. sought to expand LOTRO's reach in new territories while keeping existing fans engaged. They needed a payment solution that supported credit cards and PayPal, while offering players a unique in-game store experience.
Solution
Xsolla recommended a branded UI and the ability to manage a vast product catalog. Finally, continuous collaboration between Xsolla’s development team and the partner would ensure a smooth store experience for players.
Result
Result Xsolla’s practice of seamlessly embedding with our partner’s team allowed for an accelerated timeline. Our experience helped Warner Bros to get LOTRO up and running with a detailed, branded in-game storefront and expanded functional capabilities in three months, including a customized payment interface — a process that normally takes twice as long.
By The Numbers
20%
LOTRO transactions increased exponentially by $350k annually
700+
Supported payments methods worldwide
240+
Alternative payment methods
Technical Aspects Included:
In-Game Store
Customization
Payments
Subscriptions
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
Xsolla partners with AppsFlyer for improved web shop analytics and ad tracking
Exciting news for mobile game developers! Xsolla has teamed up with AppsFlyer to supercharge web shop analytics and ad tracking. This partnership gives developers deeper insights into user behavior, helping them optimize marketing campaigns and drive higher revenue outside traditional app stores.??
With improved data transparency and attribution, studios can make smarter decisions, boost player engagement, and maximize monetization opportunities.??
As the gaming industry continues evolving, partnerships like this are paving the way for a more data-driven, profitable future.?
Xsolla Partners With Day of the Devs for 2025
Xsolla is teaming up with Day of the Devs to support indie game creators and bring more innovative titles to players worldwide. This partnership will provide indie developers with the tools, funding, and exposure they need to succeed in an ever-evolving industry.
With a shared mission to celebrate creativity and innovation in gaming, this collaboration is a huge win for the indie dev community. Expect more opportunities, more support, and more incredible games in 2025!
Reserve a time with an Xsolla expert at GDC 2025
Get ready for an epic experience at Game Developers Conference 2025! This March, we’re bringing the future of gaming to life with our new solutions in payment, monetization, and distribution, all designed specifically for the games industry. Let’s meet, innovate, and unlock fresh opportunities to take your game to the next level. Set your game up for success in 2025 and beyond!
Game Demos: A Powerful Tool for Player Engagement, Publishers, and Investors
A well-crafted game demo is more than just a preview—it’s a key part of a successful marketing strategy. Whether you’re attracting players, pitching to publishers, or securing funding, a polished, engaging demo can make all the difference.
Learn how to create a compelling demo that highlights your game’s strengths, drives conversions, and maximizes visibility. Set your game up for success with the right demo strategy.
Gaming Gift Cards: A Smart Strategy for Monetization and Player Engagement
Gift cards have become a powerful tool for game developers, driving revenue, increasing player engagement, and expanding reach. With the global gift card market growing rapidly, integrating gaming gift cards can boost brand visibility, attract new players, and enhance customer loyalty.
Learn why gaming gift cards are essential for your monetization strategy and how they can strengthen your community and bottom line.
Unlocking the MENA Gaming Market: Opportunities for Developers
The MENA gaming market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, projected to reach $7.45 billion by 2023 and expand at a 9.4% CAGR. With a young, mobile-first audience and strong government investment in gaming and esports, developers have a unique opportunity to scale. Success in this region requires localization, tailored payment solutions, and strategic partnerships.
Learn how Xsolla can help you navigate MENA’s evolving gaming landscape.
Check out The Xsolla Report!
Unlock the insights you need to fuel growth with the latest edition of The Xsolla Report! This comprehensive guide is filled with data-driven forecasts, emerging trends, and expert analysis, helping you craft effective strategies and stay ahead in the ever-evolving gaming industry.
What’s inside this issue:
Elevate your strategy with actionable insights—get the report today!
Stay ahead of the game—download the report now and unlock new opportunities for your gaming business!
Xsolla Solution Spotlight ???? - Xsolla Web Shop
What is it?
Xsolla Web Shop is a powerful solution that helps game developers and publishers maximize revenue by offering seamless, localized, and secure online purchasing experiences. It enables direct player transactions, boosts engagement with promotions and rewards, and supports various payment methods globally. With features like player-to-player referrals, regional pricing, and deep link authorization, Xsolla Web Shop enhances user retention and increases conversion rates.
Solution Features:
Advanced Liveops - Boost player engagement and revenue with dynamic promotions, including first-purchase offers, daily rewards, and exclusives. Strengthen loyalty through discounts and reward chains while optimizing ARPPU, purchase frequency, and LTV. Create tailored sales strategies to re-engage players effectively.
Seamless Authentication System - Reduce churn by eliminating login friction with deep link authorization. Re-engage players via a Progressive Web App and boost conversions with trusted login methods for a seamless experience.
Comprehensive Catalog Management - Streamline in-game item management with centralized catalog control. Quickly import SKUs and launch within 24 hours. Boost sales through item grouping, localization, and regional pricing.
Effortless Website Customization - Launch quickly with the Instant Website Builder, creating a seamless in-game-like purchase flow without coding. Deliver a localized experience with player languages and regional pricing.
A Viral Social Package - Grow your shop’s audience through player-to-player referrals and social media word-of-mouth. Boost retention and purchases with clan-based rewards that foster engagement and trust.
Ready to level up your mobile game monetization? Learn more about Web Shop today!
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.
Check out how much fun we had sponsoring and hosting one of the jam locations for The Global Game Jam 2025!
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:
???? Internship Opportunities
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! ???
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I feel quite hungry,
The #XsollaTeam