Inside the Future of the Video Game Industry with Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy & Comms Officer at Xsolla
Apr 7, 2025
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Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy & Comms Officer at Xsolla, shares insights from his impressive background at DreamWorks and Activision. He discusses the future of the video game industry, emphasizing the importance of balancing creativity with business needs. The conversation dives into the rise of cloud gaming, innovative monetization strategies, and the role of AI in enhancing player experiences. Chris also highlights how Xsolla simplifies development challenges, connecting developers directly with players while navigating industry trends.
XSOLA empowers game developers with tools for sales and audience engagement, facilitating success from major studios to indie creators.
Chris Hewish's transition from content creation to gaming commerce highlights his desire to blend creativity with business in the industry.
The rise of cloud gaming is transforming accessibility, prompting new business models that prioritize sustainability and audience reach for developers.
Deep dives
The Role of XSOLA in Video Game Commerce
XSOLA acts as a dedicated video game commerce company, helping developers reach their audiences directly. By offering tools for payments, subscriptions, and player rewards, XSOLA supports game creators of all sizes—from major companies to indie developers. This allows everyone in the gaming industry to manage their sales and player engagement effectively. XSOLA aims to simplify the complexities of sales and audience interaction, empowering developers to focus on creating games.
Career Shift to XSOLA
Chris Hewish transitioned from working in content creation at major companies like Activision to a role at XSOLA, motivated by a desire to understand the business side of gaming. His past experiences enriched his understanding of various facets of the game industry, including publishing and marketing. At XSOLA, he engages with a wider range of games and developers, enhancing his insights into the behind-the-scenes aspects of gaming commerce. This shift enabled him to leverage his passion for gaming while exploring new opportunities in the industry.
Leadership Insights from Gaming
Playing team-based games like Apex Legends offers valuable lessons in leadership and teamwork. Players must align their strategies and communicate effectively to succeed, mirroring the dynamics of managing a diverse team in a business setting. The importance of understanding different team members' play styles and communication preferences is crucial for effective leadership. By facilitating teamwork and cohesion, leaders can enhance performance and ensure that everyone works harmoniously towards a common goal.
Navigating Creative and Business Balance
Balancing creative vision with business objectives is essential for success in the gaming industry. By fostering open communication between creative and business teams, organizations can cultivate innovation while meeting commercial goals. Leaders should provide clear business objectives and empower creative teams to devise solutions that resonate with players. This collaborative approach helps ensure that creative efforts align with the strategic direction of the company, driving growth and audience engagement.
The Evolution and Future of Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming is gaining traction as it offers accessibility for players who may not have high-end gaming systems. It allows anyone with a browser to engage with a game, expanding its reach and potential audience. XSOLA emphasizes the need for effective business models within this domain, proposing pay-as-you-play structures to create sustainable profitability. As technology advances and consumer expectations evolve, cloud gaming is set to redefine player experiences and business strategies in the industry.
Today, we're talking to Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy & Comms Officer at Xsolla. We discuss the future of the video game industry, an invaluable lesson Chris learned from his time at DreamWorks, how Chris approaches new trends in his industry such as cloud gaming, and more.
All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast!
Thanks to US Cloud for sponsoring this episode. Do you need to level up your Microsoft support services? Check out US Cloud for the best Microsoft support in the game: uscloud.com
To learn more about Xsolla, check out their website here.
