Development
Xsolla showcases industry insights and regional commitment at Digital Dragons 2026
May 14, 2026•5 min
As the global games industry gathers in Krakow for Digital Dragons 2026, Xsolla is preparing to spotlight the evolving business of game commerce and the growing importance of Central and Eastern Europe in shaping its future.
With a focused speaking session and platform updates on display, Xsolla’s presence at Digital Dragons 2026 goes beyond showcasing tools. It reflects a broader shift in how developers build, monetize, and scale games in an increasingly global and connected market.
Industry signals point to sustained transformation
Early 2026 data suggests continued momentum across key segments of the games industry, particularly in live-service ecosystems and hybrid monetization models. Błażej Krakowiak, Business Development/Developer Relations Lead, CEE at Xsolla, will host a 45-minute speaking session on Monday, 18th May at 11:00 AM CEST titled, ‘Your Game Is Invisible: Surviving the Discoverability Collapse;, which will examine different perspectives and give developers proven tactics to connect with audiences at every step from monetization to long-term support.
A second major shift is the rapid adoption of direct-to-consumer (D2C) strategies. Developers and publishers are increasingly moving beyond traditional storefronts to build direct relationships with players, gaining greater control over pricing, data, and retention.
At the same time, global expansion is driving demand for localized payment infrastructure. As player bases diversify geographically, seamless regional payment experiences have become essential for conversion and accessibility.
Finally, studios are doubling down on engagement systems - from community features to retention-focused design - reflecting a broader industry focus on sustained player relationships rather than single-purchase transactions.
Poland’s role in a global export-driven industry
Poland remains one of Europe’s most influential game development hubs. The country’s games market is projected to reach approximately $1.3 billion annually through 2026, with more than 95% of revenue generated through exports.
This global footprint has positioned Poland - and Krakow in particular - as a key meeting point for international publishers, technology providers, and independent studios. Digital Dragons continues to serve as a central platform for that exchange.
A long-term commitment to CEE growth
"Central and Eastern Europe has a thriving games industry community and remains a region with tremendous growth potential,” said Błażej Krakowiak, Business Development/Developer Relations Lead, CEE at Xsolla. “Digital Dragons sits at its heart. Year after year, this conference brings together an incredible concentration of creative talent and business opportunity. We keep coming back because the developers and studios here are building something remarkable, and Xsolla supports them with all the things needed to succeed globally."
Platform updates designed for global scale
Alongside its market insights, Xsolla will also highlight recent updates across its commerce ecosystem. These include enhancements to its Web Shop offering, expanded global payment coverage, and improvements to its publishing suite.
Together, these tools are designed to help developers streamline global distribution, improve monetization performance, and deliver more seamless purchasing experiences for players across regions and devices.
Strengthening Azerbaijan’s presence in the global games industry
In addition, Xsolla is organizing a delegation of eight game developers representing five Azerbaijani studios to attend the Digital Dragons conference in Krakow, Poland. This initiative is being implemented jointly by Xsolla and the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, as part of the strategic cooperation agreement signed last year.
Under this agreement, Xsolla is responsible, among other commitments, for supporting and coordinating the participation of 24 Azerbaijani game developers in major international gaming conferences throughout 2026. The initiative aims to foster international knowledge exchange, create opportunities for Azerbaijani developers to connect with publishers, investors, and industry experts, and further strengthen the international visibility of Azerbaijan’s game development ecosystem. Digital Dragons conference would be a second event in 2026, sponsored by Xsolla, featuring a studio from Azerbaijan; the first was in March at GDC in San Francisco, CA.
As part of Xsolla’s presence at Digital Dragons, Anatoly Strutinsky, SVP Government & Industry Relations, EMEA at Xsolla will participate as a speaker on a panel titled, ‘State of the Industry 2026: Service Providers The New Production Ecosystem’ on Tuesday 19th May at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CEST alongside Coleman Dan of Iron Galaxy; Viki Freeman of Airship; Siemion Branzburg of Transperfect; and Charlie Bowers of Service.com, exploring the role of service providers and how studios can effectively integrate external teams into production pipelines without losing control over quality and IP.
Building the future of game commerce“
Digital Dragons is a key moment for the industry to come together, share ideas, and explore new opportunities,” said Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla. “We’re excited to engage with developers, share how we have been building all the things for the industry, and continue supporting the growth of the global games ecosystem.”
As the industry continues to evolve, Xsolla’s presence at Digital Dragons 2026 underscores a clear direction: game commerce is becoming more global, more direct, and more deeply integrated into the player experience itself.
Attendees are invited to connect with Xsolla during the event and attend its speaking session for insights into where the market is heading next and how developers can position themselves to grow within it.
Want to speak with an Xsolla expert?
Schedule a meeting with an Xsolla expert while at Digital Dragons 2026 by visiting: https://xsolla.com/events/talk-with-an-expert/booking
"Central and Eastern Europe has a thriving games industry community and remains a region with tremendous growth potential,” said Błażej Krakowiak, Business Development/Developer Relations Lead, CEE at Xsolla. “Digital Dragons sits at its heart. Year after year, this conference brings together an incredible concentration of creative talent and business opportunity. We keep coming back because the developers and studios here are building something remarkable, and Xsolla supports them with all the things needed to succeed globally."
Platform updates designed for global scale
Alongside its market insights, Xsolla will also highlight recent updates across its commerce ecosystem. These include enhancements to its Web Shop offering, expanded global payment coverage, and improvements to its publishing suite.
Together, these tools are designed to help developers streamline global distribution, improve monetization performance, and deliver more seamless purchasing experiences for players across regions and devices.
Strengthening Azerbaijan’s presence in the global games industry
In addition, Xsolla is organizing a delegation of eight game developers representing five Azerbaijani studios to attend the Digital Dragons conference in Krakow, Poland. This initiative is being implemented jointly by Xsolla and the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, as part of the strategic cooperation agreement signed last year.
Under this agreement, Xsolla is responsible, among other commitments, for supporting and coordinating the participation of 24 Azerbaijani game developers in major international gaming conferences throughout 2026. The initiative aims to foster international knowledge exchange, create opportunities for Azerbaijani developers to connect with publishers, investors, and industry experts, and further strengthen the international visibility of Azerbaijan’s game development ecosystem. Digital Dragons conference would be a second event in 2026, sponsored by Xsolla, featuring a studio from Azerbaijan; the first was in March at GDC in San Francisco, CA.
As part of Xsolla’s presence at Digital Dragons, Anatoly Strutinsky, SVP Government & Industry Relations, EMEA at Xsolla will participate as a speaker on a panel titled, ‘State of the Industry 2026: Service Providers The New Production Ecosystem’ on Tuesday 19th May at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CEST alongside Coleman Dan of Iron Galaxy; Viki Freeman of Airship; Siemion Branzburg of Transperfect; and Charlie Bowers of Service.com, exploring the role of service providers and how studios can effectively integrate external teams into production pipelines without losing control over quality and IP.
Building the future of game commerce“
Digital Dragons is a key moment for the industry to come together, share ideas, and explore new opportunities,” said Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla. “We’re excited to engage with developers, share how we have been building all the things for the industry, and continue supporting the growth of the global games ecosystem.”
As the industry continues to evolve, Xsolla’s presence at Digital Dragons 2026 underscores a clear direction: game commerce is becoming more global, more direct, and more deeply integrated into the player experience itself.
Attendees are invited to connect with Xsolla during the event and attend its speaking session for insights into where the market is heading next and how developers can position themselves to grow within it.
Want to speak with an Xsolla expert?
Schedule a meeting with an Xsolla expert while at Digital Dragons 2026 by visiting: https://xsolla.com/events/talk-with-an-expert/bookingFeatured articles
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