Mobile Dev Memo Podcast Season 6, Episode 5: Sizing the off-platform monetization opportunity on mobile (with Chris Hewish)
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Aug 12, 2025 Chris Hewish, President of Xsolla and a veteran from Skydance and Activision, dives into the evolving world of mobile monetization. He discusses the impact of Apple and Google's payment policy changes, highlighting how developers can leverage off-platform payments for better conversion rates. Hewish shares his insights on the 'trust premium' required for success and common pitfalls to avoid. He also emphasizes the growing adoption among larger companies and innovative strategies like offer walls to enhance engagement and revenue in mobile gaming.
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Court Rulings Open Mobile Ecosystems
- The Google ruling forces Play Store openness, allowing third-party app stores and payments.
- Courts and regulation are converging globally to open mobile ecosystems.
Off-Platform Enables True E‑commerce
- Off-platform stores unlock full e-commerce capabilities like personalization, dynamic pricing, and live ops.
- These capabilities often increase ARPU and provide player-facing value beyond commission savings.
Subway Spender Example
- Chris describes a Japanese player buying multiple $99 purchases on the subway to illustrate purchase friction.
- That example shows why web flows or larger bundles improve player experience.