Regional distribution
Alternative payment methods
Xsolla and Affirm partner to offer flexible payment plans for gamers in Canada and the US
September 4, 2025•5 min
Affirm is now available as a payment method through Xsolla Pay Station in the United States and Canada, enabling game developers to automatically offer it as a payment option for players in the US and Canada with no additional integration.
Affirm’s flexible payment options let approved players choose customized biweekly payments or monthly payments starting at 0% APR. Offering Affirm expands payment flexibility and helps increase conversion rates and average order value by giving players a smart, transparent way to pay over time.
In this article, we’ll explore the gaming and payments market in North America, examine BNPL adoption trends, outline key developer challenges, and explain how adding Affirm to our products can address these needs.
The US gaming market continues to be one of the largest in the world, generating approximately $58.7 billion in revenue in 2024, with mobile gaming accounting for over $28 billion. Today, more than 200 million users actively play video games across mobile, console, and PC platforms, driving a growing demand for streamlined, flexible payment experiences that align with modern consumer expectations. At the same time, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have gained significant traction in the U.S. According to recent research from apital One, in 2024, 86.5 million people used BNPL, with adoption expected to increase to 91.5 million users by 2025. The payment model has proven especially popular with younger demographics, with nearly half (48.5%) users under 36. These players prioritize financial flexibility, mobile-first convenience, and transparent terms when making purchasing decisions. Canada
Canada’s video game industry is a vital part of the country’s digital economy, contributing $5.1 billion to national GDP and continuing to grow rapidly. And with approximately 19.89 million active gamers, Canada boasts a highly engaged player base. On average, adult gamers spend 7.9 hours per week playing, with a strong preference for digital platforms. Revenue from digital games in Canada is expected to reach $4.4 billion by 2027, highlighting the market’s long-term growth potential. As digital gaming expands, so do consumer expectations around convenience and payment flexibility. Pay-over-time solutions are gaining momentum in Canada, mirroring global trends. The Canadian BNPL market reached US$6.69 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow 12% year-over-year to reach US$7.5 billion in 2025. Between 2021 and 2024, the market achieved a CAGR of 19.7%, and it is forecast to continue growing at a CAGR of 8.6% through 2030, when it’s expected to surpass US$11.3 billion. Players in Canada, particularly those engaged in mobile and digital-first experiences, also increasingly prioritize financial flexibility, transparent payment terms, and seamless checkout flows. For developers and publishers operating in the region, offering pay-over-time options is quickly becoming a competitive necessity. Key challenges developers face with monetization Despite growing engagement and player demand, many developers still encounter barriers when it comes to optimizing their checkout experience and increasing monetization:
Whether buying a new game, an expansion pack, or in-game content, players can simply select Affirm at checkout, complete a quick eligibility check, and if approved, choose a payment plan that works for them. As is always true with Affirm, they'll never have to worry about late or hidden fees.
The benefits for your game and your players
Pay Station already supports 1,000+ global payment methods, including support for one-time and recurring payments for faster, more convenient checkouts. Combined with built-in fraud protection, regional coverage, and now BNPL capabilities, it gives developers a comprehensive monetization solution optimized for conversion, retention, and growth.
Rates from 0–36% APR. Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check, may not be available everywhere, and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. Options depend on your purchase amount, and a down payment may be required. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law license. For licenses and disclosures, see affirm.com/licenses. Rates from 0-31.99% APR (subject to provincial regulations). Payment options through Affirm Canada Holdings Ltd. (“Affirm”) are subject to an eligibility check and depend on purchase amount, vary by merchant, and may not be available in all provinces/territories. A down payment (or a payment due today) may be required.
Gaming and payments landscape in North America
United StatesThe US gaming market continues to be one of the largest in the world, generating approximately $58.7 billion in revenue in 2024, with mobile gaming accounting for over $28 billion. Today, more than 200 million users actively play video games across mobile, console, and PC platforms, driving a growing demand for streamlined, flexible payment experiences that align with modern consumer expectations. At the same time, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have gained significant traction in the U.S. According to recent research from apital One, in 2024, 86.5 million people used BNPL, with adoption expected to increase to 91.5 million users by 2025. The payment model has proven especially popular with younger demographics, with nearly half (48.5%) users under 36. These players prioritize financial flexibility, mobile-first convenience, and transparent terms when making purchasing decisions. Canada
Canada’s video game industry is a vital part of the country’s digital economy, contributing $5.1 billion to national GDP and continuing to grow rapidly. And with approximately 19.89 million active gamers, Canada boasts a highly engaged player base. On average, adult gamers spend 7.9 hours per week playing, with a strong preference for digital platforms. Revenue from digital games in Canada is expected to reach $4.4 billion by 2027, highlighting the market’s long-term growth potential. As digital gaming expands, so do consumer expectations around convenience and payment flexibility. Pay-over-time solutions are gaining momentum in Canada, mirroring global trends. The Canadian BNPL market reached US$6.69 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow 12% year-over-year to reach US$7.5 billion in 2025. Between 2021 and 2024, the market achieved a CAGR of 19.7%, and it is forecast to continue growing at a CAGR of 8.6% through 2030, when it’s expected to surpass US$11.3 billion. Players in Canada, particularly those engaged in mobile and digital-first experiences, also increasingly prioritize financial flexibility, transparent payment terms, and seamless checkout flows. For developers and publishers operating in the region, offering pay-over-time options is quickly becoming a competitive necessity. Key challenges developers face with monetization Despite growing engagement and player demand, many developers still encounter barriers when it comes to optimizing their checkout experience and increasing monetization:
- Limited access to flexible payment options. Traditional payment systems often lean heavily on credit/debit cards, which might not resonate with all players, especially younger audiences.
- Low Average Order Value (AOV). Without flexible payment options, players might avoid larger bundles or premium content.
- Cart abandonment from friction at checkout. A clunky or confusing checkout process that requires extensive credit card input can lead to abandoned carts and lost revenue.
- Growing expectations from players. Modern gamers in the US and Canada, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, expect transparency, speed, and flexibility in paying for digital experiences.
Xsolla Pay Station: Empowering developers with Affirm
Xsolla Pay Station now includes Affirm as a built-in payment option for players in the US and Canada. This enhancement allows developers to offer eligible players the option to split purchases into biweekly payments or monthly installments on orders starting at $50.
Whether buying a new game, an expansion pack, or in-game content, players can simply select Affirm at checkout, complete a quick eligibility check, and if approved, choose a payment plan that works for them. As is always true with Affirm, they'll never have to worry about late or hidden fees.
The benefits for your game and your players
Pay Station already supports 1,000+ global payment methods, including support for one-time and recurring payments for faster, more convenient checkouts. Combined with built-in fraud protection, regional coverage, and now BNPL capabilities, it gives developers a comprehensive monetization solution optimized for conversion, retention, and growth.
- Increase conversions and grow revenue: By offering flexible installment plans, you can increase players' likelihood of completing purchases and spending more per transaction.
- Expand your paying audience: With the power of Affirm’s flexible, transparent pay-over-time options, you can appeal to more players, opening your game to a wider demographic.
- Effortless integration with Xsolla: With saved payment methods and a mobile-first design, Xsolla Pay Station accelerates the checkout process, improving the user experience and reducing cart abandonment.
- Coming soon to more markets: We're not stopping in North America! Affirm will soon be available for players in the United Kingdom as well as other global markets to further expand your reach.
Rates from 0–36% APR. Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check, may not be available everywhere, and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. Options depend on your purchase amount, and a down payment may be required. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law license. For licenses and disclosures, see affirm.com/licenses. Rates from 0-31.99% APR (subject to provincial regulations). Payment options through Affirm Canada Holdings Ltd. (“Affirm”) are subject to an eligibility check and depend on purchase amount, vary by merchant, and may not be available in all provinces/territories. A down payment (or a payment due today) may be required.
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