Chris Hewish: The Game Industry Veteran Empowering Game Developers Worldwide
A Rich History in the Game Industry
Chris Hewish, President and Interim CEO of Xsolla, boasts an impressive resume in the game industry. With previous roles at Activision, DreamWorks Animation, Survios, and Skydance, Chris has overseen the creation of more than 50 titles that have collectively generated over $1 billion in sales. As a lifelong gamer, Chris brings a unique blend of creativity, business insight, and marketing savvy to his work.
Founder of Two Game Companies
In addition to his executive roles, Chris is also the founder of two game companies, highlighting his entrepreneurial skills and adaptability within an ever-changing industry.
Xsolla: Empowering Game Developers and Publishers
Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, is on a mission to empower game developers and publishers worldwide. With headquarters in Los Angeles and offices in Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and other cities around the world, Xsolla supports leading game studios and titles such as Valve, Twitch, Roblox, Ubisoft, Epic Games, and many more. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes fund, market, launch, and monetize their games globally and across multiple platforms.
An ‘Everything Under One Roof’ Approach
Chris Hewish emphasizes Xsolla’s commitment to providing developers with an all-in-one platform. From commercial aspects like selling, subscriptions, and in-app purchases to handling background financial elements such as taxation, compliance, and customer support, Xsolla aims to streamline the development process and allow studios to focus on creating great games.
The Rise of Direct-to-Player Distribution
In the early days of the game industry, developers heavily relied on retail models and partnerships with publishers to distribute their games. The advent of digital distribution revolutionized the landscape, but Xsolla is now leading the charge into the next stage of distribution. This “third stage” enables developers to bypass third-party marketplaces and connect directly with players. By doing so, developers can maximize the lifetime value of players and gain valuable data that may be lost when relying on intermediaries.
Overcoming New Challenges in the Games Market
Xsolla recognizes the evolving nature of the games market, including changes in legislation and the introduction of new distribution options like side-loading and alternative app stores. With their expertise and tools, Xsolla is dedicated to helping developers navigate these challenges and engage with players in meaningful ways. Chris Hewish remains optimistic about the increasing control developers and publishers can have in the mobile landscape, emphasizing Xsolla’s readiness to support independent developers in seizing these opportunities.
Looking Towards the Future
The interview with Chris Hewish delves deeper into Xsolla’s work with alternative payment methods, e-commerce expertise, “headless” checkouts, Accelerate XR, and Xsolla Mall. The conversation also offers exclusive insight into Chris’s favorite game franchise, providing a complete picture of Xsolla’s capabilities and ambition.
Unlock Your Game Development Potential with Xsolla
For more information on how Xsolla can help your business go from ideation to global success, visit their home page.