Author

Berkley Egenes

Published

15 December 2025

Estimated Read time

5Mins

Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla, on the future of frictionless payments in gaming and why convenience is king

From subscriptions to battle passes and in-game marketplaces, today’s video games are just as much about payments as they are about play. But with players now used to lightning-fast experiences, the way money moves in gaming is undergoing a dramatic shift. In this kind of space, one truth stands out: convenience is king.

In 2025, a slow or clunky payment experience can cost more than just a sale; it can cost a player. As global competition heats up, gaming companies are quickly realising the easier it is for someone to pay, the more likely they are to stay. 

Players Expect More Than Just Good Gameplay

Video games have come a long way from cartridges and cash registers. With the rise of mobile gaming, free-to-play models, and digital-first ecosystems, the way people pay and what they pay for has changed completely.

But something else has changed, too: expectations. Players now want to make purchases without stopping the game. No long card forms, no redirects, no confusing fees. Just a quick tap, swipe, or confirmation, and they’re back in the action. It sounds simple, but delivering that kind of seamless experience is anything but.

It’s no longer just about offering the right content; it’s about removing every hurdle between a player and their purchase. Whether it’s a new skin, currency top-up, or unlocking extra content, the process has to feel natural, safe, and crucially, fast.

Speed, Security, and Staying Power

When payments work well, we barely notice them. However, when they don’t, they stand out for all the wrong reasons.

In gaming, timing is everything. A player sees an offer in the middle of a boss fight, and they want to buy. Yet if they’re forced to pause, enter details, confirm identities, or troubleshoot errors, the moment is lost. Consequently, the sale disappears, and the player might even give up altogether. 

Security remains essential, of course. As digital fraud evolves, the challenge is building protections without creating extra friction. Gamers expect secure transactions, but they’re not willing to wait around for them. 

This is where payments innovation is starting to shine. Tools like tokenised credentials, biometric authentication, and invisible fraud detection are helping strike that delicate balance between trust and convenience. 

For game developers, reducing payment friction doesn’t just boost conversions; it also builds trust. A smooth first transaction can turn a casual user into a loyal player. It sets the tone for the entire relationship.

Why Global Games Need Local Solutions

Gaming is a global industry, but payments are still intensely local. What works for a player in California might not suit someone in Cairo or Jakarta, and this is where games can stumble. 

Enter Xsolla, a game commerce company that’s quietly powering payment backbones of some of the biggest games worldwide. Xsolla has only one goal: to make it easy for players to pay for the games they love, wherever they are. 

Xsolla supports 1000+ local payment methods across more than 200 countries and geographies, from mobile wallets in Southeast Asia to cash-based options in Latin America. This means players can use the payment tools they already trust, without currency confusion, hidden fees, or extra friction.

For developers, it’s a game-changer. Xsolla handles regional taxes, compliance, and localization, making global reach feel simple. The result is that more players complete purchases, higher conversion rates, and greater long-term retention.

In a global gaming world, going local is no longer optional – it’s essential. 

Embedded Payments are the New Normal

Imagine spotting a new item in a game and buying it instantly, without ever leaving the screen. No redirects, no passwords, no second devices, just one click and it’s yours. This is the point of embedded payments, and it’s quickly becoming the gold standard.

Rather than treating payments as something which only happens outside the game, developers are increasingly building them right into the experience. Whether that’s a virtual wallet, an in-game currency, or a checkout button inside the character menu, the goal is still the same: to make the payment feel like part of the gameplay.

It’s not just about a better experience for players; it also unlocks new possibilities for game economies. Players can trade items, gift content, or top up in real time, without ever breaking immersion.

Even more complex technologies like blockchain and NFTs are starting to be embedded in this way. Platforms like Immutable, for example, are working to make digital asset ownership feel as simple as buying a power-up, no crypto know-how required.

Web Shops: Gaming’s Direct Line to Players

A growing number of game publishers are launching web shops – standalone sites where players can buy in-game currency, cosmetics, or exclusive offers directly, outside traditional app or platform stores.

Why? It’s partly about revenue. Many major platforms can charge up to 30% in fees, but developers can offer better prices and keep more of the profits. 

It’s also about control. Web shops allow for tailored promotions, local pricing, loyalty rewards, and a wider choice of payment methods – all without platform restrictions. But the experience still matters: web shops must be fast, secure, and mobile-friendly to meet modern expectations. 

As regulations evolve, expect web shops to become a key part of the payment strategy – quietly reshaping how games are monetized beyond the app store.

The Future of Payments

Gaming is no longer just about graphics, storylines, or even community. It’s also about experience and that includes how players pay. Get the payment experience right, and you gain more than just revenue. You gain loyalty, trust, and longevity. Get it wrong and players won’t wait around for you to fix it.

Convenience isn’t just king, it’s the kingdom. In gaming, it might just be the most powerful weapon of all. 

Learn more at xsolla.com

  • Digital Payments
  • Embedded Finance

Author

Berkley Egenes

Published

7 October 2024

Estimated Read time

4Mins

Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla, on the legislation changing financial services

The European Union’s Digital Market Act has sent tremors through digital payments. The legislation is designed to stop Big Tech’s monopoly over vital online services, from search engines to messaging apps. But beneath the surface, one of the most fascinating battlegrounds is how the Digital Markets Act will impact the lucrative world of digital payments. A space long dominated by a few influential players. This will affect how industries, including the video game industry, monetise these services.

Big tech’s digital tollbooth

For years, the platform owners have controlled much of the infrastructure around digital payments. Major platforms have tightly controlled access, charging app developers and merchants fees for every transaction processed. Furthermore, they take hefty cuts from each purchase through their ecosystem. The impact of the Digital Markets Act may vary across different platforms. Some companies will need to adjust their models to fit the legislation. Others may push back or delay changes through legal and regulatory channels. 

The Digital Markets Act specifically targets a select group of ‘gatekeepers’, defined by their user base, revenue, and platform reach. Not every platform or company will be obligated to follow the Digital Markets Act’s rules. However, companies like Apple and Google, fall under the Digital Markets Act’s direct scope. The legislation now obliges these companies to open their platforms. This will allow smaller players and third-party services to operate without being strangled by eye-watering fees or exclusionary policies. 

The impact on monetisation with Digital Payments

The big question is how this will impact the business models of the gatekeepers and the developers who rely on these platforms. For years, the mobile platforms have depended on hefty commission fees. Often as high as 30%, these monetise digital payments within their ecosystems. These fees have been a central sticking point for developers, particularly video game studios, which sometimes generate billions in revenue through in-app purchases and microtransactions. 

Free-to-play mobile games specifically rely heavily on players making in-game purchases, from cosmetic skins to virtual currency. Under the current system, a significant chunk of that revenue is siphoned off by platform holders. They collect commissions on every transaction. This has forced game developers to either raise prices or accept slimmer margins while operating within the confines of strict payment policies. 

The Digital Markets Act is disrupting this current model. Game developers have been fighting the ability to direct players to alternative payment methods. They may now have the freedom and access to offer alternative ways to market and monetise their game while still having the player experience on the mobile phone. As a result, for the first time, consumers may be able to choose alternative payment processors. This potentially reduces costs for players and developers alike. 

For video game developers, particularly indie studios, the Digital Markets Act could represent a long-awaited relief from the large hold of app store economies. Developers can now distribute, market and sell their digital items and bundle packs through their online web shop or mobile SDK. By exploring these alternative options, developers will be retaining more of the profit per transaction. They could invest in better content or offer custom promotions to players – a win for both creators and consumers in the gaming industry across Europe.

Don’t ignore the challenges

The Digital Markets Act ushers in a brave new world of competition and choice for consumers, but it’s not all plain sailing. While the Digital Markets Act is designed to promote competition, the actual implementation of its provisions is still subject to regulatory developments and potential litigation. This means the full impact of the Digital Markets Act could take time to materialise. Moving towards a more open payment system demands a mountain of technical tweaks and a watchful eye from regulators. The real headache will be getting all these different payment systems to talk to each other while keeping security watertight. 

Consumers also have to consider how they will adapt to these changes. While there are many benefits, changing habits takes work. The success of the Digital Markets Act will depend on effective communication, education, and transparency to ensure consumers are aware of the new options and their benefits.

A new era for Digital Payments?

While the Digital Markets Act promises greater choice and a more level playing field, the road ahead will be anything but smooth. While the Digital Markets Act’s potential to break down monopolistic practices is significant, its effects may not be felt immediately. Regulatory processes, litigation, and slow consumer adoption could mean the transition to a more open digital payments landscape occurs gradually over time. Gatekeepers have maintained a firm grip on payment infrastructure for years, charging high fees that have eaten into developers’ profits. But with the Digital Markets Act tearing down some of these walls, game studios may have the flexibility to finally bypass gatekeepers and offer cheaper in-game purchases, subscriptions, and services directly to consumers.

While the Digital Markets Act opens doors for smaller developers and alternative payment options, it also forces companies to rethink their monetisation strategies. This could potentially pass new costs onto consumers in other ways. What is clear is that the digital payments landscape is in flux. How the tech giants, game developers, and consumers adapt to this new reality will define the future of monetisation in the digital economy. The game is far from over, and the real winners have yet to be decided.

Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, Xsolla

  • Digital Payments