Xsolla: Innovating the Business of Gaming since 2 Decades
The gaming industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade. What was once a niche entertainment segment has evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic digital industries. Beyond AAA titles, the industry is fuelled by free-to-play models, live-service ecosystems, and an ever-increasing global player base across platforms. With these evolving transitions, developers are facing mounting challenges. From supporting hundreds of local payment methods to navigating regional tax complexities, combating fraud, and monetizing both paying and non-paying players, all while maintaining a seamless user experience, puts severe pressure on them.
The scenario demands a customized game-commerce infrastructure that can combine fintech features with the unique needs of interactive games. Xsolla is a defining force in game payments and monetization. Unlike generic payment processors, Xsolla offers end-to-end support in global payments. It deeply understands gamer behaviours and has a massive network of leading fintech providers, making it a trusted name for studios of any scale. Backed with strong experience and equipped with suitable resources, Xsolla can be a trusted partner to developers, whether they are launching, monetizing, or scaling games globally.
A Mission to Empower Developers
The idea behind Xsolla was born to solve a problem that game developers around the globe were struggling with. During the early 2000s, game developers were struggling with managing in-game transactions and adapting to local regulations. More importantly, cross-border distributions were expensive and complex. A game doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. It is a combination of curiosity, dedication, and creativity of people who give it shape. However, many of these ideas don’t take shape due to a lack of support or the means to find it. Alexander Agapitov, founder and CEO of Xsolla, recognized that the gaming industry deserved better than the generic e-commerce. In his words, “It needed an infrastructure purpose-built for gaming.”
With a clear mind, he launched Xsolla as a payment solution for gaming transactions. However, as the industry evolved, the platform became a comprehensive commerce platform. Just as the gaming business model diversified, Xsolla also expanded into other areas. Today, it is not only preferred by studios for mobile game monetization, creator economies, LiveOps, and cloud gaming, all while staying grounded in its mission to empower developers to succeed on their own terms.
Driving the Success of Game Development
Established in California, Xsolla is a global video game commerce company that equips developers with resources to build, launch, and grow games successfully. The company believes in giving developers a fair chance, regardless of their background or circumstances. This is how the company has grown as a trusted, behind-the-scenes partner to thousands of creators. From indie teams to AAA franchises, it helps studios fund, market, distribute, and monetize their games across platforms and borders. “Our portfolio comprises modular solutions, including Pay Station, Web Shop, Site Builder, Launcher, Login, and Publisher Account, all designed to simplify operations while maximizing control, flexibility, and revenue potential,” explains Chris Hewish, President.
The company is technologically adept to handle complexities in global transactions, tax compliance, and fraud prevention, ensuring studios stay focused on creating memorable gaming experiences. The Xsolla platform supports over 1000 payment methods across more than 200 geographies, making it flexible and tailored to the gaming industry. This helps studios expand their reach and optimize every stage of their business.
End-to-End Support for a Developer’s Journey
Xsolla’s mission to become a launch pad for developers goes beyond transactions and toolkits. It is committed to creating a healthier and more inclusive gaming ecosystem. With a strong pulse on the gaming industry, the company organizes developer events and even funds mentorship programs. The idea behind this is to bring opportunities together, ensuring that creators have the end-to-end support they deserve. This demonstrates Xsolla’s niche as a gaming commerce company. Unlike conventional ad-hoc platforms, it offers a modular system that combines the innovation of fintech with the trust of a game studio partner.
Such features enable developers to have a strong development speed. For instance, developers can launch a D2C online store in under 24 hours, with no-code tools, leverage over 1,000 localized payment methods, and seamlessly manage LiveOps, analytics, and compliance from a single dashboard. Its services are based on real-world use cases, which helps in investing in long-term relationships with clients. Whether developers are launching a game or building a global business strategy, Xsolla is here to support them and ensure they are achieving their desired goals.
Staying Ahead through Innovations
Technology is one of the core drivers of the gaming commerce space. Advances in Cloud Computing, AI, and Blockchain are reshaping how games are being developed, distributed, and monetized. As one of the leading players in this space, innovation lives in the DNA of Xsolla. As such, keeping up with trends and innovations is not enough. To adapt to shifting regulations and evolving app store policies, the company invests in tools that help developers enter the D2C market with confidence. Its Web Shop solution is quite popular among top mobile game studios as it empowers developers to create branded stores with exclusive content, personalized rewards, and loyalty programs without sacrificing ease of use or platform compliance.
Beyond the storefront, Xsolla is steadily advancing into AI-driven content delivery, leveraging server-to-server integrations with analytics platforms like AppsFlyer and Adjust, and improving LiveOps tools that drive real-time engagement with no code updates. “Whether it’s through automated regional pricing, PWA-enabled retention, or cloud-native distribution, we’re delivering everything needed to meet players where they are and maximize revenue per interaction,” explains Chris.
Innovation Powered by R&D
R&D is essential to how Xsolla evolves with and ahead of the industry. With gaming technologies, player expectations, and global payment trends, it becomes central to Xsolla’s ability to innovate, adapt, and lead the global fast-moving gaming commerce ecosystem. Its global R&D teams constantly iterate based on partner feedback, player behavior, and market dynamics. It has led to impactful innovations, such as the LiveOps Management Suite, which gives developers real-time control over offers and in-game events, as well as a loyalty store, which enhances long-term engagement by rewarding players for repeat purchases. It also fuels the development of new products such as Xsolla Wallet or business engine, which is a result of experimenting with fintech innovations, digital monetization methods, blockchain integrations, and player behaviour analytics.
Xsolla’s R&D efforts also extend to areas of payment fraud prevention, compliance automation, and game-driven personalization. This shows that the R&D efforts aren’t limited to short-term trends but focus on building long-term value. By focusing on structural improvements that unlock new capabilities for partners, it ensures the gaming ecosystem thrives and stays relevant with every update.
The Champions of Innovation at Xsolla
Leadership is a core pillar of any company’s innovation, and with Xsolla, it is no different. Its leadership team comprises gaming industry veterans and commerce innovators who collectively play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s trajectory. Chris Hewish, President and Chief Strategy & Communication Officer, brings over 25 years of experience in the game industry, having led executive roles at Activision, DreamWorks, and Survios. He is pivotal in leading global strategy with a focus on empowering developers and sustainable innovation.
Working alongside him is Berkley Egenes, Xsolla’s Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, who guides the company’s brand evolution, visibility, engagement, and impact across the market. The company’s founder, Alexander Agapitov, leads the company from the helm and continues to shape the company’s long-term mission of building the infrastructure behind next-gen games.
The leadership panel is supported by a distributed team operating in Los Angeles, Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Montreal. They play an integral role in strengthening the company’s global footprint and local expertise. Everyone carries a shared passion for creating an environment where people can grow, both professionally and personally. They even provide a rewarding benefit package that caters to their well-being and growth programs that help them grow a sustainable professional career in the gaming industry.
An Impactful Legacy in Gaming Commerce
Xsolla’s united approach to scaling infrastructure, exploring new markets, and building long-term relationships has rewarded it with a successful journey over nearly two decades. It has powered over 600 Web Shops worldwide, helping mobile developers generate over $3 billion in incremental value. Its tools are actively used in more than 1500 games across 200 countries and territories.
Xsolla is also widely recognized in the industry, as well as the idea. Revered publications, such as GamesIndustry.biz, Business Insider, and VentureBeat, have recognized Xsolla for its impact on digital monetization and D2C transformation. The company has also built strategic partnerships with companies like Unity, Discord, and Epic Games, further expanding its ability to support game creators at scale. “Special initiatives like ‘The Xsolla Report’ and ‘State of Play’ podcast also allow me to serve as a thought leader, providing original research and insights that help shape the industry conversation,” adds Chris.
Unlocking More value for Developers
With eventful milestones and a strong legacy built over two decades, Xsolla looks forward to a future grounded in helping developers unlock more value faster and with fewer barriers. With a leading position in the industry, the company continues to scale its Web Shop and personalization features that turn passive users into buyers. “We’re expanding into emerging regions, such as LATAM, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, with hyper-localized solutions,” states Chris.
Xsolla is also investing in new technologies, such as cloud gaming and smart metasites, to help studios reach new audiences with lower overhead. At the same time, it is doubling down on mentorship and education for Indie and mid-tier developers, equipping them with data, tools, and guidance to build sustainable businesses. This shows the company’s ambition to be the invisible infrastructure that supports creative freedom and financial independence.
In simple terms, Xsolla believes that developers are the true heroes of the gaming world. Its mission is to give them the platform they deserve. Working quietly behind the scenes, the company is equipped to handle the complex systems, tools, and technologies that power modern game commerce.
