WE BRING OPPORTUNITIES TOGETHER
Game commerce powered by XsollaGame commerce powered by XsollaMarch 17 - 21
Moscone West Lobby (WL1-2)
Join Xsolla in San Francisco for an amplified GDC experience. Meet our experts and discover how Xsolla empowers developers to embrace new opportunities and grow a successful gaming business.
Want to know more? Schedule time with one of our experts.
Dates: March 17-21
Location: San Francisco, California
Location: San Francisco, California
FIND US IN SAN FRANCISCO
GDC 2025See route
Catch us at our booth in the Moscone West Lobby
Visit our booth located in Moscone West 1st floor lobby. New look, same expert team. Stop by with your questions. Take advantage of today’s opportunities and maximize your game’s commerce efforts. Enjoy SWAG giveaways, product demos, a comfortable lounge space, and more. See you there!
TAKE A BREAK FROM GDC AND STOP BY XSOLLA’S OPEN HOUSE
Everyone is invited—no GDC badge is required! Xsolla is hosting our Open House at The Howard SF. Stop by and chat with an Xsolla expert about growing your game revenue with our innovative solutions or securing funding through Xsolla Funding Club. Find out how partnering with us can benefit your game business.
Monday, March 17 to Thursday, March 20, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday, March 21, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: 661 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Friday, March 21, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: 661 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105
XSOLLA'S SPEAKING SESSIONS
Bringing opportunities together
Join us in San Francisco on Tuesday, March 18 for a full day of presentations from our team of industry experts and exciting news about Xsolla solutions, products, and services. Check back here for full session details from the leaders in game commerce and monetization.
Date: Tuesday, March 18
Time: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Moscone West, 2nd-floor, Room 2024
Time: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Moscone West, 2nd-floor, Room 2024
Session Schedule
Session 01: March 18, 9:30 AM — 10:30 AM
The Industry: Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going
Chris Hewish
Chief Strategy Officer, Xsolla
The video game industry has evolved from niche entertainment to a global economic powerhouse fueled by rapid technological advancements, shifting player expectations, and new business models. In this session, we’ll look back at the key milestones that have shaped the industry—from the rise of digital distribution and free-to-play monetization to the emergence of cross-platform play and live-service gaming.
We’ll also explore what’s next, including AI-driven game development, the evolving role of publishers, and the challenges and opportunities in an increasingly globalized market. As we stand at the intersection of innovation and disruption, how can developers, publishers, and platforms adapt to stay competitive?
Join us for a deep dive into the past, present, and future of gaming, with insights on how to navigate the industry’s next significant shifts.
Session 02: March 18, 10:50 AM — 11:50 AM
The Scariest Threat in Mobile Gaming: Losing Control of Your Players
Berkley Egenes
Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, Xsolla
Josephine Friday
Sr. Director, Global Enterprise Business Development, Xsolla
In mobile gaming, the biggest nightmare isn’t player churn or high UA costs—it’s losing control of your players. When you rely solely on third-party platforms, you give away valuable player data, sacrifice revenue to hefty platform fees, and limit your ability to engage your audience directly. The scariest part? You’re building someone else’s business instead of your own.
Enter web shops —your ultimate weapon for taking back control. By selling in-game content directly to players, you slash fees, boost margins, and gain first-party data to fuel more effective marketing, personalized offers, and stronger player loyalty. A web shop lets you own the experience, increase lifetime value, and future-proof your business in a constantly shifting industry.
Don't let platforms dictate your success. Discover how launching a web shop can help you build a direct, profitable relationship with your players, and why the real horror story in mobile gaming is leaving your fate in someone else’s hands.
Session 03: March 18, 1:20 PM — 1:50 PM
Xsolla Pay - Powering Payments, P(l)ay by New Rules
Svante Westerberg
Head of Xsolla Pay, Xsolla
Rafael Morgan
VP Marketing & Partnerships, CrazyGames
In gaming, payments aren’t just about transactions—they shape the player experience. Yet, many developers are playing by outdated rules, losing revenue to high fees, limited payment options, and platform restrictions. But what if you could change the game?
With new advancements in payment technology, developers now have more control than ever. Imagine offering players seamless, frictionless checkout experiences, supporting their preferred payment methods worldwide, and unlocking new markets without barriers. The right payment strategy doesn’t just improve conversions—it creates stronger player connections, boosts retention, and fuels long-term success.
It’s time to rethink what’s possible within gaming payments. Join us as we dive into the future of transactions, explore emerging trends, and reveal how you can take control of your monetization—playing by your rules, not someone else’s.
Session 04: March 18, 2:10 PM — 2:40 PM
Breaking Myths: The Truth About Measuring UX and Player Acquisition in Mobile Games
Berkley Egenes
Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, Xsolla
Adam Smart
Director of Product for Gaming, AppsFlyer
When we discuss experience and player acquisition in mobile games, there’s no shortage of myths, misleading metrics, and guesswork. Are your ads bringing in valuable players —or installs that churn? Does your UX keep players engaged, or are hidden friction points driving them away? It’s time to cut through the noise and get to the actual data.
In this session, we’re bringing in Xsolla’s Partners at AppsFlyer and a real success story to share real-life case studies and hard-hitting insights on measuring, analyzing, and optimizing retention and acquisition more effectively. We’ll debunk common misconceptions, reveal what truly impacts retention and revenue, and show you how to build a data-driven growth strategy that works.
If you’re tired of vanity metrics and want the absolute truth about measuring success in mobile gaming, don’t miss this conversation. It’s time to break the myths and take control of your game's future.
Session 05: March 18, 3:00 PM — 3:30 PM
The Dirty Truth About Funding and Games
Justin Berenbaum
VP, Strategic Planning & GM, Xsolla Funding Club, Xsolla
Jenny Xu
CEO and Founder, Talofa Games
Tony Grayson
Studio Head, Summitsphere
Securing funding for your game can be the difference between launching a hit or watching your project crash and burn. But too many developers fall into the same traps—signing bad deals, giving up too much control, or running out of money at the worst possible moment. Don’t let that be you.
In this high-energy session, we’ll discuss studios' biggest funding mistakes and how to avoid them. From pitching pitfalls to bad budgeting, we'll expose the red flags, the fine print, and the funding myths that can sink your project before it even gets off the ground. You’ll also learn what works—from grants and publishing deals to private investors and alternative funding models.
Session 06: March 18, 3:50 PM — 4:20 PM
Gaming in 2030: The Future of Play
Sam Gaglani
Executive Vice President of Global Business Development, Xsolla
Anna Mostyn-Williams
Senior Director of Publishing & Partnerships, Jagex
Nika Nour
Senior Vice President, Savvy Group
David Kaye
Founder and General Partner, F4 Fund
Michael Lewis
President, DeOs
The video game industry is evolving faster than ever—so what will gaming look like in 2030?
In a future-focused session, we’ll explore the technologies, trends, and challenges shaping the next era of gaming. From hyper-personalized experiences to new ways of owning and monetizing content, we’ll dive into what’s coming—and how studios can stay ahead of the curve.
The future isn’t just something to watch—it’s something to build. Whether you’re a developer, publisher, or industry leader, now is the time to prepare for tomorrow's big shifts. Join us for a fast-paced look at the future of play and what it means for the industry, the business, and the players of tomorrow.
Session 07: March 18, 4:40 PM — 5:10 PM
Influencers in Gaming: Hype? Hustle? Huge ROI?
Ricky Tran
Director of Business Development, Partner Network, Xsolla
Pete Basgen
Global Gaming Lead, Wavemaker Global
Andy Steig
Influencers & Gaming Community Director, Stand Up To Cancer
Lily Chanta
Program Manager, CreatorU
Influencers are everywhere in gaming—driving hype, shaping player opinions, and making or breaking game launches. But are they worth the investment, or is the industry stuck chasing clout with no clear ROI?
In this no-nonsense session, we’ll break down the real impact of influencers in gaming. From massive successes to costly misfires, we’ll explore what works, what doesn’t, and how to tell the difference. Should you go all-in on top-tier creators, or is micro-influencer engagement the smarter play? How do you measure success beyond vanity metrics? And most importantly, how do you ensure your influencer strategy drives players, not just views?
Join us as we cut through the noise, share relevant data, and reveal what moves the needle when working with game industry influencers. If you’ve ever wondered whether the results are worth the effort—this talk has the answers
Session 08: March 18, 5:30 PM — 6:00 PM
WTF: Web3, Tokens and Fun!
Rytis Joseph Jan
Head of Web3 and Strategic Partnerships, Xsolla Holding Company
Lee Jacobsen
Senior VP of Business Development - Web3, Xsolla
Jose Anaya
Ecosystem Success, Matter Labs/ZKsync
Web3 promised to change gaming forever with player ownership, decentralized economies, and new monetization models. But let’s be honest: the road has been anything but smooth. So, where do we go from here?
In this candid, industry-focused session, we’ll break down the actual state of Web3 in gaming. Are tokens and NFTs enhancing player experiences, or are they just a monetization gimmick? We'll cover what's working, what’s failing, and what we can learn from past mistakes. Most importantly, how do we make Web3 games that are truly fun—not just financial experiments disguised as gameplay?
Join us as we separate fact from fiction, share hard-earned lessons, and explore the future of blockchain-powered gaming. Whether you're building in Web3, watching from the sidelines, or just wondering what comes next, this session will give you the insights you need to navigate the next wave of innovation in gaming.
OTHER XSOLLA ACTIVITIES
Find us at several other events during GDC week!
March 16 – The Midway
DAY OF THE DEVS 2025
Sponsored by XsollaDay of the Devs is a dedicated event celebrating independent game developers. It provides a unique opportunity in an inclusive space for indie developers to showcase their creative and innovative projects to a broader audience, which includes industry professionals, media, and gaming enthusiasts.
Date: Sunday, March 16
Time: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: The Midway, 900 Marin Street Space is limited. Register today!
Time: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: The Midway, 900 Marin Street Space is limited. Register today!
March 17, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
JOIN XSOLLA GDC Mixer
The Xsolla GDC Mixer in partnership with AppsFlyer, AWS, and Nazara Technologies, is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow creators, enjoy some snacks and drinks, and share your latest game trailer with the mobile and PC gaming community.
We’re excited to give you the chance to showcase your work. Share your latest or exclusive game trailer, and it could be featured at the event for your industry peers to see. Upload your trailer through the registration form for our team to review.
If you’re a developer or creator, hurry up and register! There are a limited number of invitations for this event. Invitees will be notified by email.
Date: Monday, March 17
Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: The Howard SF
Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: The Howard SF
March 18, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
XSOLLA GAME NIGHT
It's game time!Enjoy classic table games like UNO™, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots™, and many more. Are you a soccer fan?? This year, we’re bringing Electronic Arts’ legendary FIFA for Playstation™ AND we're introducing a pop quiz with a chance at prizes!
Doors open at 6:00 PM, with light snacks and soft drinks to keep you powered up. Play with fellow game enthusiasts, meet great people, and socialize early ahead of GDC! The fun will wrap up at 9:30 PM.
Date: Tuesday, March 18
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Location: Moscone Center South, Esplanade rooms 154 and 156
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Location: Moscone Center South, Esplanade rooms 154 and 156
March 17 - 20 – The Howard SF
XSOLLA SALONS
Cultivate community and curiosityJoin us for an Xsolla Salons event with gaming experts at The Howard SF for open, insightful conversations that move our industry forward.
Dates: Monday, March 17 through Thursday, March 20
Location: The Howard SF Become a part of this curated experience by joining an upcoming Xsolla Salons event near you.
Location: The Howard SF Become a part of this curated experience by joining an upcoming Xsolla Salons event near you.
