gaming
XSOLLA INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE GAME COMMERCE SOLUTIONS AT GDC 2025
Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, announces its participation at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, taking place from March 17–21 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. Xsolla will showcase new and enhanced solutions designed to help developers fund, market, launch, and monetize their games effectively as part of its We Bring Opportunities Together initiative.
“At Xsolla, we’re focused on breaking down the barriers that prevent developers from transforming their ideas into successful businesses,” said Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer at Xsolla. “GDC is a key opportunity to connect with game creators and demonstrate how our solutions streamline game commerce, from launching a game to entering new markets and driving revenue growth.”
Xsolla will highlight advancements across its platform, including enhancements to the industry-leading Web Shop, Cloud Gaming, MENA Payment Solutions, and the launch of new revenue-driving tools.
XSOLLA’S LATEST GAME COMMERCE SOLUTIONS
Xsolla’s latest updates and new solutions address the evolving needs of developers worldwide, enhancing game monetization and player engagement.
- Xsolla Web Shop – With over 500+ Web Shops launched, generating incremental revenue for mobile game developers, Xsolla Web Shop has introduced new personalization and mobile accessibility features to improve the player purchasing experience. Developers can use real-time player behavior data to create dynamic, personalized promotions that increase conversion rates with the new features, including Progressive Web Apps (PWA), automated regional pricing, and a customizable loyalty program, creating the opportunity to increase Lifetime Value (LTV) by up to +30 percent.
- Xsolla Cloud Gaming – Xsolla Cloud Gaming – Created and launched two new user acquisition tools for developers. First, the Play Before Your Buy feature allows players to stream time-limited game demos before key purchase or continue play in the cloud. Secondly, players can now play their PC game on a mobile browser using a virtual controller overlay for extended play on the go. These updates attract new types of users and enhance engagement while lowering hardware barriers to premium gaming experiences. In addition, we have enhanced the backbone of the Xsolla Cloud Gaming offering with our latest integrated vendor partners – Amazon AWS and Tencent Cloud; partnering with Aethir on a new $1 million grant in cloud credits for developers.
- MENA Payment Solutions – Expanded coverage in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, and Jordan, with 11 new localized payment methods to improve accessibility for 380 million gamers, taking the total payment methods available for game developers globally to over +1,000.
- Xsolla Publishing Suite – A direct-to-consumer (D2C) commerce solution giving developers greater control over game distribution, monetization, and marketing strategies. Developers can sell game keys, pre-orders, and in-game content with seamless web and in-game commerce integration with cross-platform purchasing support. This ensures seamless transactions between web stores and in-game purchases and built-in marketing and analytics tools to help developers optimize their sales funnels.
- Xsolla Loyalty Program – Created a program to enable cashback rewards, cross-title loyalty programs, and tier-based incentives to drive repeat purchases and increase engagement with seamless integration with Xsolla Pay Station with no additional development.
- Xsolla Offerwall – Delivers revenue-sharing opportunities and player experiences for monetization and advertising by allowing non-paying players to earn in-game rewards through advertiser-driven tasks. It supports CPI, CPA, and CPC models, offering developers up to 90% revenue share—well above the industry average. The platform also enhances security with SMS-based user authentication to prevent fraud and ensure a smooth experience for both players and developers.
- Xsolla Gold Gift Card – Provides a flexible payment option for players who want to purchase or gift in-game content. Available in both physical and digital formats, enabling co-branded promotions and cross-platform redemption across multiple platforms, delivering seamless redemptions across mobile, PC, and console.
- Xsolla Ecosystem – A curated marketplace of pre-validated partners, helping developers streamline vendor selection and reduce operational costs. Pre-integrated partners like G-Core, Game Analytics, Adikteev, and AppsFlyer provide trusted third-party services and seamless integration with Xsolla’s monetization, distribution, and payment solutions.
- Xsolla Partner Network – Introducing advanced influencer marketing tools, making it easier for developers to collaborate with Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok content creators. AI-powered creator discovery, helping developers find the best influencers for their campaigns with built-in promo code and game key distribution tools, streamlining influencer partnerships and creator storefronts on Xsolla Mall, allowing influencers to sell digital game content directly to their audiences.
XSOLLA AT GDC 2025
Day Of The Devs 2025 Sponsored By Xsolla
Sunday, March 16 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM | The Midway, 900 Marin Street
Day of the Devs is a dedicated event celebrating independent game developers. It provides a unique opportunity in an inclusive space for indie developers to showcase their creative and innovative projects to a broader audience, which includes industry professionals, media, and gaming enthusiasts. Space is limited, so register here today!
Xsolla Booth at Moscone
Booth WL1-2 | Moscone West Lobby | Monday, March 17 – Friday, March 21
Attendees may visit the Xsolla booth located in Moscone West 1st floor lobby. New look, same expert team. Stop by with your questions. Take advantage of today’s opportunities and maximize your game’s commerce efforts. Enjoy SWAG giveaways, product demos, a comfortable lounge space, and more. See you there!
Xsolla’s Open House
Monday, March 17 – Thursday, March 20 | 09:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Friday, March 21 | 09:00 AM – 3:00 PM | The Howard – 661 Howard St.
Everyone is invited – no GDC badge is required! Please join Xsolla at our exclusive Open House all week, steps away, and immerse yourself in a relaxed setting to connect with industry leaders, explore innovative solutions, and learn about best practices with great companies. Enjoy hands-on product demos, insightful conversations, and a comfortable space to unwind – all while discovering new ways to maximize your gaming business.
Join Xsolla GDC Mixer
Monday, March 17 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | The Howard, 661 Howard St.
The Xsolla GDC Mixer in partnership with AppsFlyer, AWS, and Nazara Technologies is a fantastic opportunity to join the gaming community for a light snack and soft drinks, share your current work, and receive expert input. If you’re an indie developer or creator, hurry up and register! There are a limited number of invitations for this event. Invitees will be notified by email.
Xsolla Salons
Monday, March 17 – Thursday, March 20 | The Howard, 661 Howard St.
Xsolla Salons with gaming experts will gather at The Howard for open, insightful conversations that move our industry forward.
Xsolla Game Night
Tuesday, March 18 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM | Moscone South Esplanade rooms #154 & #156
An evening of classic table games like UNO
, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, and many more. Are you a soccer fan?? This year, we’re bringing Electronic Arts’ legendary EA FC 2025 for Playstation, AND we’re introducing a pop quiz with a chance at prizes! Doors open at 6:00 PM, with light snacks and soft drinks to keep you powered up. Play with fellow game enthusiasts, meet great people, and socialize early ahead of GDC!
XSOLLA SPEAKING SESSIONS AT GDC 2025
The Industry: Where We Have Been & Where We Are Going
Tuesday, March 18 | 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Moscone West Room #2024
Chris Hewish explores the evolution of gaming, emerging trends, and the future for developers and publishers. The video game industry has evolved from niche entertainment to a global economic powerhouse fueled by rapid technological advancements, shifting player expectations, and new business models. In this session, we’ll look back at the key milestones that have shaped the industry—from the rise of digital distribution and free-to-play monetization to the emergence of cross-platform play and live-service gaming. Join Chris for a deep dive into the past, present, and future of gaming, with insights on how to navigate the industry’s next significant shifts.
The Scariest Threat In Mobile Gaming: Losing Control Of Your Players
Tuesday, March 18 | 10:50 AM – 11:50 AM | Moscone West Room #2024
Berkley Egenes and Josephine Friday discuss how Web Shops help developers regain control over sales, marketing, and player relationships. In mobile gaming, the biggest nightmare isn’t player churn or high UA costs—it’s losing control of your players. When you rely solely on third-party platforms, you give away valuable player data, sacrifice revenue to hefty platform fees, and limit your ability to engage your audience directly. The scariest part? You’re building someone else’s business instead of your own.
Xsolla Pay – Powering Payments, P(l)ay By New Rules
Tuesday, March 18 | 1:20 PM – 1:50 PM | Moscone West Room #2024
Svante Westerberg from Xsolla and Rafael Morgan from Crazygames share how outdated payment models limit revenue and how Xsolla Pay enables global reach and seamless transactions. In gaming, payments aren’t just about transactions—they shape the player experience. Yet, many developers are playing by outdated rules, losing revenue to high fees, limited payment options, and platform restrictions. But what if you could change the game? With new advancements in payment technology, developers now have more control than ever. Imagine offering players seamless, frictionless checkout experiences, supporting their preferred payment methods worldwide, and unlocking new markets without barriers.
Breaking Myths: The Truth About Measuring UX and Player Acquisition in Mobile Games
Tuesday, March 18 | 2:10 PM – 2:40 PM | Moscone West Room #2024
Berkley Egenes from Xsolla and Adam Smart from AppsFlyer break down misleading metrics, player retention strategies, and effective acquisition tactics. When we discuss experience and player acquisition in mobile games, there’s no shortage of myths, misleading metrics, and guesswork. Are your ads bringing in valuable players —or installs that churn? Does your UX keep players engaged, or are hidden friction points driving them away? It’s time to cut through the noise and get to the actual data. In this session, we’re bringing in Xsolla’s Partners at AppsFlyer and a real success story to share real-life case studies and hard-hitting insights on measuring, analyzing, and optimizing retention and acquisition more effectively.
The Dirty Truth About Funding And Games
Tuesday, March 18 | 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Moscone West Room #2024
Justin Berenbaum from Xsolla, Jenny Xu from Talofa Games, and Tony Grayson from Summitsphere uncover the biggest mistakes in game funding and how developers can secure investment successfully. Securing funding for your game can be the difference between launching a hit or watching your project crash and burn. But too many developers fall into the same traps—signing bad deals, giving up too much control, or running out of money at the worst possible moment. Don’t let that be you.
Gaming in 2030: The Future of Play
Tuesday, March 18 | 3:50 PM – 4:20 PM | Moscone West Room #2024
Sam Gaglani and industry partners explore the future of gaming, personalization, and new monetization models. The video game industry is evolving faster than ever—so what will gaming look like in 2030? In a future-focused session, we’ll explore the technologies, trends, and challenges shaping the next era of gaming. From hyper-personalized experiences to new ways of owning and monetizing content, we’ll dive into what’s coming—and how studios can stay ahead of the curve.
Influencers in Gaming: Hype? Hustle? Huge ROI?
Tuesday, March 18 | 4:40 PM – 5:10 PM | Moscone West Room #2024
Rix Tran and partners will talk about the impact of influencers in gaming. Influencers are everywhere in gaming—driving hype, shaping player opinions, and making or breaking game launches. But are they worth the investment, or is the industry stuck chasing clout with no clear ROI? In this no-nonsense session, we’ll break down the real impact of influencers in gaming. From massive successes to costly misfires, we’ll explore what works, what doesn’t, and how to tell the difference.
WTF: Web3, Tokens and Fun!
Tuesday, March 18 | 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Moscone West Room #2024
Lee Jacobson and Rytis Joseph Jan from Xsolla and Jose Anaya from MatterLabs/ZKsync look candidly at the state of Web3 gaming, separating hype from real opportunities. Web3 promised to change gaming forever with player ownership, decentralized economies, and new monetization models. But let’s be honest: the road has been anything but smooth. So, where do we go from here? Most importantly, how do we make Web3 games that are truly fun—not just financial experiments disguised as gameplay? Join us as we separate fact from fiction, share hard-earned lessons, and explore the future of blockchain-powered gaming.
CONNECT WITH XSOLLA AT GDC 2025
Schedule a meeting with Xsolla’s game commerce experts: GDC 2025 | Schedule a meeting with Xsolla Learn more about speaking sessions and networking events: Join us at GDC 2025! | Xsolla
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Call of Duty
Monster Energy and Call of Duty Unite Again with Exclusive In-Game Rewards and Expanded Program Timing
Monster Energy is teaming up once again with Call of Duty to deliver bonus in-game rewards, bonus 2XP and an expanded promotional window that gives fans even more opportunities to fuel up and power their gameplay.
Gamers and Monster fans can start collecting codes to stockpile rewards ahead of the highly anticipated release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on November 14. Following the record-breaking success of the last year’s program – the 2025 campaign has been extended and will run through March 31, 2026, with code redemption available until April 30, 2026.
Players who purchase specially marked Call of Duty cans of Monster Energy, Monster Zero Sugar, or Monster Zero Ultra can find a unique code under the tab and redeem it online at callofduty.monsterenergy.com. Every can unlocks bonus in-game items and double experience points.
2025 in-game rewards include:
• 1 Can = “Energy Flash” Large Decal + 15 min 2XP
• 2 Cans = “Peacekeeper MK1 – Hyper Green” Weapon Blueprint + 15 min 2XP
• 3 Cans = “Green Fury” Operator Skin + 15 min 2XP
• 4 Cans = “VS Recon – Green Thunder” Weapon Blueprint + 15 min 2XP
• 5 Cans = “Daylight Ripper” Operator Skin Recolor + 15 min 2XP
In addition, select retailers will feature specialty bonus in-game content such as Emblems, Charms, Weapon Stickers, and Dual 2XP.
And as an added bonus, fans who create an account on callofduty.monsterenergy.com before October 31 will score a Black Ops 6 in-game skin – no purchase required.
“Monster Energy is built on fueling competitive spirit and our collaboration with Call of Duty continues to push that to new levels. With expanded timing, bonus rewards and the unmatched value of Double XP in every can, this year’s program is our biggest and most exciting yet,” said Dan McHugh, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Monster Energy.
“We’re proud to continue building on the success of our partnership with Monster Energy. Monster is the go-to fuel of gamers and they are going to drink up these exciting in-game rewards,” added Cody Neal, Associate Director of Global Partnerships, Call of Duty.
The limited-edition Monster Energy Call of Duty cans are available in 16oz in Original Monster Energy, Monster Zero Sugar and Monster Zero Ultra. Special 4, 12, and 15 can Monster Energy Call of Duty multipacks are on shelves now.
The post Monster Energy and Call of Duty Unite Again with Exclusive In-Game Rewards and Expanded Program Timing appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
gaming
Gamescom 2025: New Records and Important Impetus for the Games Industry in Germany and Worldwide
Gamescom 2025 ended with numerous new records and strong momentum for the games industry in Germany and worldwide. Records were once again set, particularly in terms of key figures such as internationality (70% of visitors from abroad, exhibitors from 72 countries), digital reach (more than 630 million views worldwide by 23 August evening alone), exhibition space (233,000 square metres) and the number of exhibitors (1568). On site, 357,000 fans visited the world’s largest festival of games culture. The number of trade visitors rose to 34,000, with a particularly strong increase in participants from the US, China, Canada and Japan.
“This year, gamescom 2025 is sending out a particularly positive signal. After two challenging years for the games industry, you could really feel the mood improving this year. The new record figures underline not only the global appeal of gamescom, but also the upward trend in the entire games industry. gamescom 2025 is also a milestone for the German games industry: political support for the additional tax-based games funding at gamescom was stronger than ever – from both the federal and the state level alike. This creates hope that progress will be made quickly. But there were also positive signals on many other political topics, whether for e-sports from Federal Minister Bär at the political opening or from Federal Minister for Family Affairs Karin Prien, who was just as convinced of the important work of the USK in the protection of minors as she was of the enormous potential of games for the education sector,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association, the co-organiser of gamescom.
Political interest in gamescom 2025 was greater than ever before. In total, over 600 politicians came to Cologne to see for themselves the current developments in the games industry and the enormous economic, cultural and technological potential of games. Whether from the federal states, the federal government or the EU, the political guests came from all levels. In addition, a particularly large number of international delegations travelled to gamescom, for example from this year’s gamescom partner country Thailand as well as from Brazil, Indonesia and India.
Gamescom 2026 will take place from 26 to 30 August. It will open on 25 August 2026 with the gamescom Opening Night Live.
The post Gamescom 2025: New Records and Important Impetus for the Games Industry in Germany and Worldwide appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Gaming industry is growing day by day. It has already become a global entertainment giant. From sweeping open-world quests to quick, addictive mobile games, the industry has expanded into a multi-billion-dollar giant.
The global gaming industry was valued at over £135 billion ($184 billion) in 2023 and is projected to reach £184 billion ($250 billion) in 2030. It is driven by cloud gaming, which eliminates the need for costly consoles, high-speed internet, and immersive technologies like VR and AR. Revenues from VR gaming alone in 2023 exceeded £1.9 billion ($2.6 billion), and the AR gaming business is set to grow at a pace of over 30% annually.
The transition from physical to digital is virtually complete: in large markets, over 90% of games sold today are digital, with downloads, live services, and subscriptions replacing cartridges and discs.
Alternative Ways to Invest in Gaming
The gaming industry is not merely a business of copying the most recent blockbusting release; it’s a rich, diverse ecosystem with several streams of revenue, from historic game publishing to aggressive esports and the burgeoning betting and online gambling sector. Today’s investors are able to access entertainment-oriented and wagering-led segments, each with their distinct risk and reward profiles.
Video Game Development & Publishing
Envision house brands behind the mega-franchises of Call of Duty, FIFA or The Legend of Zelda. These brands have enormous fan bases and generate revenue that stretches far past the initial buy, with in-game purchases, downloadable packs and subscription content keeping gamers engaged and expenditures year-round.
Esports
Esports have now evolved from casual living-room games to multi-million-dollar tournaments streamed live in front of a global audience. Internet gambling on esports competitions is also becoming a niche but growing market, offering a new source of revenue for both organisers and financiers.
Online Betting & Casinos
This segment is focused on convenience, accessibility and growing demand for real-money play. Online gaming sites and casinos are taking advantage of more lenient rules in key markets, so that they now represent a more mainstream and profitable part of the gaming economy.
Spotlight on Online Gambling
Online casinos are no longer merely whirring slot machines; they’re pushing boundaries. Some of the top 20 online casinos have gone beyond traditional slots and table games, incorporating esports betting, skill-based game challenges and interactive live dealer games.
Why does that matter to investors? Easy. It signals flexibility. These platforms are captivating players where they are: at their phones, on streaming websites, and in hybrid entertainment spaces that blur the line between socialising and gaming. This flexibility is what can keep revenue streams consistent even when trends shift.
Why Investors are Paying Attention
The gaming market has something that a lot of others envy: loyal consumers who are spenders on a regular basis. It’s £3 ($5) on a character skin or £36 ($50) on a new game, but the spend is cumulative, and it doesn’t evaporate during poor economies.
And gaming pervades everywhere. A hit title in Japan can find fans in Brazil in days. And for companies, that global reach means multiple streams of revenue and endless room to grow.
Risks in Investment
There is no investment without risk. Regulations change overnight, especially in online gaming. Game developers also come and go with their biggest hit; one flop can jerk their stock price. And in this competitive environment, being new is a never-ending struggle.
Gaming Investment Strategies
Diversify among multiple corners of the sector. That way, you’re not betting everything on one game or one trend. Gaming-focused ETFs deserve a look as well if you enjoy a pre-packaged solution that spreads the risk.
The post Investment Opportunities in the Multi-billion-dollar Gaming Sector appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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