Staying on Top of the Video Game Industry
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Xsolla

Chris Hewish, President

Staying on Top of the Video Game Industry

Chris Hewish, President
Chris Hewish, President, Xsolla

As the president of one of the video game industry’s largest commerce platforms, Xsolla, can you elaborate on what a typical day looks like for you?

A typical day for me as president of Xsolla looks very different from day to day. Every morning, I start with a team meeting where we discuss any urgent issues that need to be addressed. Then, I review our performance metrics and analytics for the previous week and plan out strategies for further growth. After that, I'll meet with my colleagues in marketing to brainstorm ideas on how to increase customer engagement. In the afternoons, I often arrange meetings with potential partners or clients interested in utilizing our services.

Meanwhile, my team is constantly developing innovative solutions to various problems within our industry, such as developing new payment methods or expanding into new markets. Throughout the day, I also take time to mentor our employees and help them develop their skills. My day usually ends with me reviewing the progress of any projects we are working on and ensuring everything is running smoothly. In short, I stay incredibly busy, but it's worth it when I see how far Xsolla has come since its inception.

No matter how hectic my schedule may be, I always take time out to stay focused and productive. I either play a game or watch a movie every evening, before winding down for the night. That way, I can relax without completely disconnecting from what's happening in the gaming industry. This helps ensure that I'm always up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies, which in turn helps me lead Xsolla more effectively.

My days may vary from one week to the next, but this general routine allows me to remain motivated and focused on our goal of becoming a gaming industry leader. Being part of such an innovative company is rewarding, and I'm excited about what the future holds.

Can you elaborate on the importance of skills and responsibilities such as creating concepts, building prototypes, establishing roadmaps, and managing production in the larger video game industry?

In the video game industry, creating concepts, building prototypes, and establishing roadmaps are essential skills and responsibilities. They help create an effective strategy to develop a successful gaming product. Creating concepts is necessary to develop original ideas for new games or enhancements to existing ones. Building prototypes can help analyze how well the idea translates into a playable game. Establishing roadmaps helps ensure that production schedules and deadlines are met during game development.

Managing production is also essential for releasing a successful video game product. During this process, the project manager must juggle various tasks, such as asset management, budget allocation, scheduling resources, and communication between departments. These activities require organization and attention to detail to ensure the game is produced on time and within budget.

Ultimately, these skills and responsibilities are essential for creating successful video game products. They help establish a solid foundation and strategy to create an enjoyable gaming experience for players. As such, it is essential to have a team of individuals with these skills who can work together to produce a quality product.

Please brief us on some of the major technology leaps that are driving the gaming industry to develop an adaptable and sustainable business model.

The gaming industry is undergoing rapid transformation due to advances in technology. One of the significant technological leaps driving this growth is virtual reality (VR). VR has enabled developers to immerse players in a world they can interact with and explore like never before. This has also led to increased engagement, as gamers strive to complete new challenges and explore ever-changing game environments. Additionally, cloud computing technology has allowed for more efficient distribution of games, allowing them to be quickly developed and deployed on multiple platforms without having to worry about hardware constraints.

Technological advances such as virtual reality and cloud gaming have enabled the gaming industry to develop a more efficient and enjoyable gaming experience for consumers. This has allowed developers to stay ahead of the curve, providing gamers with innovative experiences that keep them engaged and coming back for more. With these technological advancements, the gaming industry can build an adaptable and sustainable business model that will continue to flourish for years to come.

 

How does your experience in leading development teams, operating multi-game studios, and running worldwide interactive business units at companies enhance Xsolla ‘s contribution to the overall business landscape?

I deeply understand how to develop successful content publishing, marketing, distribution strategies, and monetization, which are essential for any gaming company. Having spent many years in this field, I understand the challenges of scaling up game studios and launching successful global partnerships. This knowledge allows me to contribute to Xsolla's mission of helping game developers worldwide grow their businesses by providing them with cutting-edge tools tailored to their needs.

My experience in leading development teams, operating multi-game studios, and running worldwide interactive business units at companies offer valuable insights that help enhance Xsolla's contribution to the overall business landscape. Through my experience in this sector, I bring unparalleled expertise that will allow Xsolla to stay ahead of the competition and be a leader in the gaming industry.

What are some of the technology trends that your company plans to incorporate into its existing infrastructure?

With the help of our cloud gaming solution, publishers and developers can access players who cannot buy a game due to hardware or budgetary restrictions to reach new audiences. They create a direct-to-consumer sales plan through a branded website that is a hub for your players to open further distribution and user acquisition channels, obtain additional sources of income, and boost sales of already-out titles using a new marketing strategy.

 

What is your advice for other senior leaders and CXOs working in the retail sector?  

I advise other senior executives and chief executive officers to be proactive, inventive, and flexible. It's crucial to stay on top of technological and consumer behavior trends and invest in projects to set your store apart from the competition. It is essential to foster an internal culture of creativity, develop customer relationships, and have a 360-degree perspective of all accessible data sources. Lastly, remember that improving the customer experience requires ongoing work and investment from the entire organization. You can contribute to ensuring your company succeeds and maintains its competitiveness for years to come by adopting a long-term perspective and continuously adapting to changing customer requirements.

 

The articles from these contributors are based on their personal expertise and viewpoints, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations.