two & a half gamers ⏰ D2C is the highest ROI strategy in mobile right now & the clock is ticking! Are you ready?
In this ultra-special episode, Chip Thurston (FastSpring) returns to break down the current reality of D2C - what’s allowed today, what’s changing, and why publishers need to act immediately.
We unpack the Epic–Google settlement, the new fee structure, what’s enforceable (and what probably isn’t), and why Japan's new regulation on December 18 will reshape global payments.
What you’ll learn
• Why iOS and Android steering IS legal right now
• Why publishers shouldn’t wait for “final clarity”
• How to use D2C purchase data to optimize UA
• How attribution to webshops actually works
• The truth about Google’s 20% vs 9% fee categories
• Why the judge is skeptical of the Google–Epic settlement
• How social steering, landing pages, and Discord avoid fees
• Why Japan’s new law will supercharge D2C
• The strategic window publishers must seize NOW
Key takeaway
The publishers who act NOW - not when rules are “final” will own the highest-value customers for years.
Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop
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For an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.
Our sponsor FastSpring:
Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 years
They power top mobile publishers around the world
Launch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.
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This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.
Panelists: Jakub Remiar, Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric
Chip Thurston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thurstonchip/
Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipg
00:00 — The real state of D2C: iOS + Android steering is live now
06:30 — Why publishers hesitate, and why that’s a huge mistake
09:40 — The business value of D2C: data, UA optimization, retention
13:20 — Epic–Google settlement explained: timelines, confusion, loopholes
26:00 — The future: fees, global laws, Japan, and why the window won’t last
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Matej Lancaric
User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant
https://lancaric.me
Felix Braberg
Ad monetization consultant
https://www.felixbraberg.com
Jakub Remiar
Game design consultant
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar
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Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me
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Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask Matej AI - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai