From Offerwall to Always-On: Xsolla’s Take on Player Engagement
🎮 Welcome to a special episode of the PocketGamer.biz podcast!We’re bringing you two conversations with leaders from Xsolla—because together, they tell a powerful story about where gaming, monetization, and community are headed.First, we sit down with Sarah Chafer, who explains how brands can use gamification and offerwalls to move beyond awareness and into brandformance—campaigns that both build equity and drive measurable action. From loyalty to user choice, Sarah shares real examples (including Paramount+) that show how smart brands are meeting players where they are.Then, we talk to Travis Anderson, who widens the lens. He shares how publishers can unify webshops, offerwalls, social quests and even cloud gaming to create a seamless and rewarding ecosystem—all with fewer resources and a single integration.📌 Whether you’re a brand looking for meaningful reach or a publisher seeking smarter monetization, this episode gives you a glimpse into the future of game commerce.
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What Every Indie Dev Can Learn from Balatro’s Success
What does it take to turn a rogue-like poker game into one of the most talked-about indie hits of the year?In this episode of the PocketGamer.biz podcast, Harvey Elliott—CEO of Playstack and publisher of Balatro—joins us to share how the breakout success unfolded, why they bet big on an unconventional title, and what it means for the future of publishing.🎮 Why Playstack said “yes” to Balatro📈 How discoverability still decides winners🧠 Balancing creative freedom and commercial strategy🎯 What Playstack looks for in new titles🚀 Lessons for indie developers and studios trying to scaleIf you’re building, marketing, or publishing games—this conversation is your new cheat code.
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Week in Mobile Games E65: Gamescom insights and India's shock real-money gaming ban
PocketGamer.biz head of content Craig Chapple and news editor Aaron Astle discuss the latest games industry news on the 65th episode of the Week in Mobile Games Podcast.On this week’s show we cover:Insights from the show floor at Gamescom 2025.Google Play's new App Store-like rules for Europe.India's real-money gaming ban that has shocked the country's games industry and international investors.Uma Musume: Pretty Derby's international performance.** Let's Connect **👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pocketgamer-biz/👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz 👉🏻 Pocket Gamer Connects - https://www.pgconnects.com👉🏻Pocket Gamer Connects Speaker Submission form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoS5n-vdHu6aU-2d_rR7x1FAgewG51y3nlU1aB8RdetiKaGw/viewform👉🏻 The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers 2024 - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2024/👉🏻 Download the PocketGamer.biz Mobile Games Developer Trends Survey Winter 2024/25 report - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3tbjUxVkG17CuHHljMblfmUC3DZ6gNAzV8qiz8bAALUXSvQ/viewform👉🏻 Join the AI Gamechangers newsletter - https://aigamechangers.substack.com👉🏻 Download our free Barcelona games industry report now - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/download-our-barcelona-games-industry-report-now/👉🏻 Voting begins for the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2025 - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/mga2025/vote/👉🏻 Download our free report on China's games industry with insights from executives and key market data - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/gain-key-insights-into-chinas-games-industry-with-our-free-report
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Week in Mobile Games E64 - ChinaJoy insights and DTC earnings uncovered
PocketGamer.biz head of content Craig Chapple, news editor Aaron Astle and Steel Media COO Dave Bradley discuss the latest games industry news on the 64th episode of the Week in Mobile Games Podcast.On this week’s show we cover:Insights from our recent trip to ChinaJoy and Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai.How much money games publishers are earning from their direct-to-consumer strategies.Rovio and Sega's revenue slump.** Let's Connect **👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pocketgamer-biz/👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz 👉🏻 Pocket Gamer Connects - https://www.pgconnects.com👉🏻Pocket Gamer Connects Speaker Submission form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoS5n-vdHu6aU-2d_rR7x1FAgewG51y3nlU1aB8RdetiKaGw/viewform👉🏻 The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers 2024 - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2024/👉🏻 Download the PocketGamer.biz Mobile Games Developer Trends Survey Winter 2024/25 report - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3tbjUxVkG17CuHHljMblfmUC3DZ6gNAzV8qiz8bAALUXSvQ/viewform👉🏻 Join the AI Gamechangers newsletter - https://aigamechangers.substack.com👉🏻 Download our free Barcelona games industry report now - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/download-our-barcelona-games-industry-report-now/👉🏻 Voting begins for the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2025 - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/mga2025/vote/👉🏻 Download our free report on China's games industry with insights from executives and key market data - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/gain-key-insights-into-chinas-games-industry-with-our-free-report
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Week in Mobile Games E63 - The Esports World Cup unpacked and lightning strikes twice for Supercell
PocketGamer.biz head of content Craig Chapple, news editor Aaron Astle and events content coordinator Charlie Scowen discuss the latest games industry news on the 63rd episode of the Week in Mobile Games Podcast.On this week’s show we cover:Takeaways from the Esports World Cup after a visit to Riyadh.Clash Royale's Brawl Stars moment.Why the team at NextBeat is joining Duolingo's gamified learning revolution and the challenges of launching new games.How Talofa Games' Monster Walk aims to stand out from Pokémon Go.Unity's attempts to claw back ground lost from AppLovin in the ads space with Vector.** Let's Connect **👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pocketgamer-biz/👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz 👉🏻 Pocket Gamer Connects - https://www.pgconnects.com👉🏻Pocket Gamer Connects Speaker Submission form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoS5n-vdHu6aU-2d_rR7x1FAgewG51y3nlU1aB8RdetiKaGw/viewform👉🏻 The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers 2024 - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2024/👉🏻 Download the PocketGamer.biz Mobile Games Developer Trends Survey Winter 2024/25 report - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3tbjUxVkG17CuHHljMblfmUC3DZ6gNAzV8qiz8bAALUXSvQ/viewform👉🏻 Join the AI Gamechangers newsletter - https://aigamechangers.substack.com👉🏻 Download our free Barcelona games industry report now - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/download-our-barcelona-games-industry-report-now/👉🏻 Voting begins for the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2025 - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/mga2025/vote/👉🏻 Download our free report on China's games industry with insights from executives and key market data - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/gain-key-insights-into-chinas-games-industry-with-our-free-report👉🏻 Esports World Cup CGO: “We want to make esports go mainstream” - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/esports-world-cup-cgo-we-want-to-make-esports-go-mainstream
Welcome to your regular glimpse into the business of mobile games. Featuring interviews with games industry experts! Your hosts are the insiders at PocketGamer.biz, the top B2B site for the mobile games industry. It covers the people, technology and deals that drive this multi-billion dollar sector. In our ongoing podcast, you’ll hear the editorial team and their guests dive into the topics and themes at the forefront of the industry. You’ll get unique insight and exclusive Q and As, taking you behind the scenes on the international mobile games scene.
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