DAUNTLESS TRANSACTIONS
98% SUCCESSFUL WITH
XSOLLA PAY STATION
After self-publishing Dauntless’ closed alpha, Phoenix Labs needed a way to build greater momentum for distribution without the use of a third-party digital marketplace.
They also wanted to draw new users by pre-selling Founders Packs — digital product packages that include closed beta access and a few in-game items, plus one of several tiers of additional items. And with a plan for rapid expansion to multiple countries — each with its own local payment methods — they also needed powerful defense against fraud.
Vancouver-based Phoenix Labs — gaming development veterans with an impressive history.
Founded in 2014, Phoenix Labs is an independent video game studio with a 45-member development team, including a number of industry veterans who have worked together to build games earlier in their careers.
In 2017, Phoenix Labs published closed alpha, Founders alpha, and closed beta releases for their PC title Dauntless, a co-op action RPG. The latest release is available in more than 76 countries and regions — including Germany, France, and the UK — and they plan to publish an open beta release in 2018.
AT A GLANCE
post-integration
with no third-party
platform fees
to purchase post-integration
An exclusive publishing partnership between Phoenix Labs and Xsolla enabled better options for players and better outcomes for the team.
Through a streamlined integration, the teams built a customized digital storefront for Dauntless and were able to deliver measurably improved UX and functionality in these areas:
GAME KEYS
- Delivered customizable widget, converting game website traffic into sales.
- Provided 95% retention of sales revenue, avoiding third-party platform fees.
- Enabled greater user acquisition across regions with localized language support.
Anti-fraud
- Filtered fraudulent payments using self-updating algorithm.
- Reviewed disputed transactions 24/7 using behavioral and data metrics.
PAYMENTS
- Enabled localized payment methods at checkout, from 700+ available globally.
- Let players save payment method data and preferences for future payments.
- Let users set up subscription auto-renewal using available payment methods.
Products used
With fraudulent activity down and cart conversion up, Dauntless was ready for its next act.
In the six months after the launch of their customized digital storefront with Xsolla, Phoenix Labs successfully processed over 98% of Dauntless payments without issues such as refunds, chargebacks, or fraud. A success rate this high tells us that players are getting what they expect and will likely continue to engage with the game over the long term.
And in the month following the integration, more than 51% of shopping carts created through Xsolla’s white-label game key widget were converted to purchase, among both new and already active players. The stage had been set for Dauntless’ open beta to be more than successful.