“In the world of gaming, where every pixel tells a story, and every transaction fuels a universe, seamless connection is the ultimate power-up.”
Xsolla stands at the crossroads of creativity and commerce, empowering game developers and publishers to launch, monetize, and scale their projects with tools designed to make complex payment systems feel effortless. More than just a financial technology company, Xsolla is a catalyst for innovation, enabling gaming experiences to thrive globally by simplifying the business side of play. Its commitment to “everything just works” resonates deeply with developers, especially smaller teams, who find in Xsolla a partner that understands the pulse of the gaming community and the nuances of the market.
At the helm of this dynamic company is Chris Hewish, Xsolla’s President, whose extensive career in the gaming industry spans iconic names like Activision, DreamWorks, and Skydance. Known for his strategic vision and deep understanding of both the creative and business facets of gaming, Chris brings a unique blend of leadership, communication, and industry insight to Xsolla. His role is pivotal as the company navigates its next phase of growth, focusing on empowering developers to own their player relationships and innovate boldly in the growing market. Chris’s leadership reflects Xsolla’s mission to build a more inclusive, accessible, and secure gaming ecosystem worldwide.
Building a Global Support System for Game Developers
Xsolla was founded in 2005 with a clear purpose: to remove the obstacles that prevented game developers from connecting with players around the world. At that time, the gaming industry was undergoing a major transformation, shifting from physical boxed games to online and free-to-play models. This change brought new challenges that many studios were not equipped to handle. Cross-border payments were complicated, fraud prevention was inconsistent, and developers lacked the necessary infrastructure to effectively monetize their games on a global scale.
Xsolla was created to address these fundamental issues and simplify the process for developers.
As the gaming ecosystem continued to grow more complex, Xsolla’s mission expanded accordingly. The company developed into a comprehensive global platform that supports every stage of a game’s lifecycle, from securing funding and launching to monetization and live operations. Throughout this evolution, Xsolla has remained dedicated to reducing friction and creating new opportunities for developers everywhere, helping them succeed in the market.
Xsolla Timeline: When Everyone Plays, We All Win
- 2005
- Xsolla founded.
- 2010
- Headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
- 2021
- Products used by 1,500 companies across 2,000 games worldwide.
- 2022
- Named “Best Service Provider” by Pocket Gamer
- Xsolla Pay Station adopted by 1,000+ developers
- Partnered with Alipay and Adikteev.
- 2023
- Opened Kuala Lumpur office
- Acquired AcceleratXR
- Released first Xsolla Report: State of Play.
- 2024
- Expanded payments to 1,000+ via PayPay, MTN Group
- Launched Xsolla Wallet
- Opened Xsolla Curine Academy in Kuala Lumpur.
- 2025
- Launched Xsolla Publishing Suite and Gold Gift Card
Learning to Go Global by Understanding Local Markets
During its global expansion, Xsolla faced a major challenge in managing the regulatory and cultural differences across various markets. Each region presented distinct financial systems, compliance rules, and player preferences. The company quickly recognized that achieving true international success required deep local understanding and strong partnerships within each region. This realization led Xsolla to adopt a “local-first” approach, building dedicated teams and infrastructure worldwide. The important lesson learned was that scaling globally is only effective when combined with genuine relevance to the local markets being served.
Ensuring Safety for Every Partner and Player
Security and trust are fundamental to Xsolla’s operations. The company adheres to global standards such as PCI DSS, GDPR, CCPA, and various regional financial regulations. Its fraud prevention systems employ behavioral analytics, automated risk scoring, and targeted measures to minimize risks while ensuring legitimate players are not disrupted. Xsolla maintains strict data privacy controls and follows transparent practices to protect user information. “Protecting our partners and their players is a responsibility we take very seriously,” Chris emphasizes.
Improving Through Communication and Collaboration
Customer feedback plays a central role in how Xsolla develops and improves its products. The company’s teams maintain direct communication with partners through regular meetings, insight sessions, and product reviews. Many key features have been created as a result of these discussions. In addition, Xsolla monitors industry trends and sentiment to identify emerging challenges. Guided by transparency and flexibility, the company ensures that developers feel heard and supported throughout their partnership.
A Flexible Platform Designed to Support Every Developer’s Needs
What distinguishes Xsolla is its ability to address complex operational and commercial challenges through a flexible, modular platform. This system enables developers to either select individual tools or implement a fully customized commerce solution tailored to their specific needs. Xsolla’s global payments network supports hundreds of payment methods across more than 200 countries and regions, and is supported by robust compliance, tax, reconciliation, and fraud prevention features. Built with a developer-first mindset, the platform aims to simplify complexity, open new opportunities, and help game studios grow sustainably in an industry that is constantly growing.
Fast, Useful Industry Tips from Xsolla’s Podcast
The Xsolla Podcast, Up Your Game™, offers brief episodes designed for game developers and industry innovators. It features timely updates, insider insights, and expert commentary from leaders who are shaping the global gaming industry. Created as an important resource, the podcast provides practical advice on monetization, trends, and strategies in a concise format that suits busy professionals.
Available at xsolla.com/podcast, the series focuses on delivering actionable knowledge to help developers improve their games and grow their businesses. This initiative highlights Xsolla’s dedication to supporting creators through sharing valuable information beyond payment solutions.
Xsolla by the Numbers
- Operates in 200+ countries and territories
- Supports 700+ global and regional payment methods
- Serves thousands of partners across mobile, PC, and console
- Processes hundreds of millions of transactions annually
- Operates from 10+ international offices for global reach with local insight
Industry Impact Reflected in Awards and Partnerships
A significant milestone for Xsolla was being recognized on Inc. Magazine’s list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. This achievement reflects years of innovation, team expansion, and a strong dedication to supporting developers at every stage of their journey. Equally important is the ongoing trust placed in Xsolla by its partners, including global publishers and independent studios, who depend on the company to manage their business operations. The success of these clients remains the most meaningful validation of Xsolla’s work and industry standing.
Strong Partnerships That Lead to Real Game Success
A notable example of Xsolla’s impact is its collaboration with mobile studios transitioning to direct-to-consumer models through the use of Web Shops. Many of these partners experienced significant revenue growth soon after launching, benefiting from lower transaction fees, increased player engagement, and the ability to offer personalized promotions beyond the restrictions of app stores.
Another example involves a PC and console studio preparing for a global release. Xsolla provided comprehensive support with payments, fraud prevention, digital delivery, and subscription management, allowing the studio to concentrate fully on marketing and community engagement. These cases demonstrate the value of robust infrastructure and strong partnerships in driving measurable success.
Strong Media Presence Across the Gaming Industry
Xsolla and its leadership have been prominently featured in leading global media outlets, including GamesBeat, VentureBeat, GamesIndustry.biz, Pocket Gamer, and 80 Level. These platforms have highlighted Xsolla’s innovations and industry impact through various articles, reports, and interviews. Notable mentions include their collaboration with GamesBeat on the global 2024 tour and partnership with Mastercard on gaming payment solutions in Poland, as covered by VentureBeat.
Further insights into the company can be found on GamesIndustry.biz‘s dedicated Xsolla profile, which showcases its role in the gaming ecosystem. Additionally, Xsolla’s collaboration with Pocket Gamer to support mobile game developers in 2025 is detailed here. For a deeper understanding of industry trends and Xsolla’s strategies, the article on 80 Level discussing game growth within the $500 billion industry offers valuable perspectives. These sources provide comprehensive coverage suitable for inclusion in a detailed cover story.
Building the Next Generation of Tools for Game Creators
Xsolla’s future plans include stronger integrations with major game engines, live-operations platforms, and digital ecosystems. The company is also enhancing its support for mobile developers as it adapts to new regulatory requirements. Additionally, Xsolla is investing in tools that enable developers to build direct, long-term relationships with its players. This strategy focuses on addressing emerging needs and reinforcing the global commerce infrastructure that supports game developers worldwide.
Leading the Industry With Reports, Events, and Training
“Thought leadership is an essential part of how we support the industry,” Chris explains. Xsolla contributes valuable insights through its Xsolla Report series, which offers global analyses on trends across mobile, PC, and console gaming. These reports provide practical information on player behavior, monetization strategies, and distribution channels. Additionally, Xsolla hosts international events like Xsolla Connect, bringing together developers, publishers, investors, and partners to explore the future of digital commerce. The company also supports education by partnering with universities, incubators, and training programs to help develop the next generation of professionals in the gaming industry.
Open Letter from the President Chris Hewish to Emerging Gaming Companies, Founders, and Future Industry Leaders
Dear Emerging Gaming Companies, Founders, and Future Industry Leaders,
My advice to you is to focus on building strong creative and operational foundations. Great games start with a clear vision, a deep understanding of your audience, and sustainable monetization models that support your growth. While trends will shift and technologies will evolve, companies that stay true to their values and remain adaptable in their strategies will achieve lasting success.
It is critical to build systems that can scale alongside your ambitions, foster strong relationships within your community, and invest in the people who will drive your studio forward. By grounding yourself in these principles, you can create not only innovative games but also sustainable businesses that thrive over time.
Sincerely,
Chris Hewish
President, Xsolla
5 Key Takeaways from Xsolla’s Impact on the Global Gaming Industry
- Empowering Developers Worldwide: Xsolla helps game creators launch, monetize, and scale their projects with tools that simplify complex payments, global distribution, and business operations.
- A Leader with Deep Industry Insight: Under President Chris Hewish, Xsolla combines creative understanding with strong business strategy to support developers and strengthen the global gaming ecosystem.
- Built on Security, Trust, and Local Expertise: The company prioritizes safety, compliance, and fraud prevention while adopting a “local-first” approach to meet the unique needs of each global market.
- Collaboration That Drives Real Results: Through consistent developer feedback, industry partnerships, and strong infrastructure, Xsolla creates solutions that lead to measurable growth for studios of all sizes.
- Shaping the Future of Game Commerce: With new tools, global reports, events, and education programs, Xsolla continues to guide and support the next generation of game developers and innovators.
