Xsolla Sessions
Xsolla Podcasts: State of Play & Xsolla Conversations
Where the future of game commerce comes to life
Xsolla brings you two powerful podcast series designed to spark honest dialogue, uncover untold stories, and guide the evolving business of games.
State of Play is our flagship narrative podcast, hosted by Chris Hewish with Lia Ballentine and Joe Pierpont. This richly produced series combines deep-dive interviews, documentary storytelling, and immersive sound design to explore the biggest shifts in the global games industry. From platform battles and regulatory shakeups to breakthrough monetization trends, State of Play is where game business leaders turn for context, clarity, and connection.
Xsolla Conversations delivers a fast, focused format with real-time insights from the front lines. These short-form episodes (under 20 minutes) feature candid chats with developers, partners, and internal experts, highlighting what’s working now in game development, community building, and direct-to-consumer strategy.
Together, these shows surface the voices shaping the next era of interactive entertainment. Whether you're launching your first title or leading a global studio, tune in weekly to hear from the people defining what’s next in gaming.
Xsolla Sessions
THE IMPACT OF WEB SHOPS ON THE BUSINESS OF GAMES – FEATURING JEFF SHOUGER (NIANTIC) & ARTEM LIUBUTOV (XSOLLA)
In this premiere episode, hosts Chris Hewish and Lia Ballentine explore one of the biggest shifts in the mobile gaming industry: the rise of web shops.
Through cinematic storytelling, real-world examples, and conversations with Niantic CFO Jeff Shouger and Xsolla’s Artem Liubutov, we unpack how developers are reclaiming control over margins, data, and their connection to players.
You’ll hear how studios are moving beyond the 30% platform tax, why conversion rates on web shops are exceeding expectations, and what it means to build a monetization experience outside the app store. This isn’t just about commerce, it’s about power, strategy, and the future of the game business itself.
If you're a game developer, executive, product lead, or investor, this episode offers a powerful lens on what’s next in mobile game monetization.
Please send us feedback or questions. We’re building a curious, collaborative Xsolla community, and you’re part of it. https://xsolla.com/podcast