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Xsolla Launches State of Play and Xsolla Conversations to Spark New Industry Dialogue through Podcast Storytelling
Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, announced the launch of a new podcast content ecosystem designed to inform, inspire, and connect the global games industry. Anchored by the flagship series State of Play and supported by the fast-paced companion show Xsolla Conversations, the company’s new audio strategy seeks to surface meaningful stories, emerging trends, and practical insights from the people building the future of games.
At a time when platform policies are shifting, monetization models are evolving, and developers are facing increasingly complex challenges, these podcasts provide a timely and much-needed forum for dialogue. Each show plays a distinct role in Xsolla’s mission to foster transparency, education, and thought leadership within the industry.
State of Play is the centerpiece of this strategy. It’s a narrative podcast created for decision-makers in the games business, combining long-form interviews, editorial storytelling, and immersive sound design. Hosted and narrated by Chris Hewish, Xsolla’s Chief Strategy Officer, along with co-host Lia Ballentine and Joe Pierpont, the show offers a documentary-style look at what’s impacting the business of games, from high-profile platform battles and regulatory shifts to breakthrough trends in direct-to-consumer strategies. Episodes are carefully structured to walk listeners through a multi-perspective journey, weaving in the voices of founders, economists, product leads, and policy experts. With rich production and a journalist’s curiosity, State of Play delivers context and clarity in a world where change is constant.
In contrast, Xsolla Conversations provides a more nimble, informal listening experience. These short-form episodes, typically under 20 minutes, are designed to surface key insights in real time. They feature candid interviews with Xsolla partners, internal experts, and developers worldwide who are experimenting, adapting, and finding success in today’s market.
The first slate of episodes from Xsolla Conversations highlights the diversity of voices shaping the industry. In “Rethinking Mobile Game Finance,” Niantic CFO Jeff Shouger joins Chris Hewish for an honest conversation about Niantic’s move into web shops. Shouger details what it took to shift from platform-restricted monetization to a more direct, data-rich model. Shouger shares hard-won lessons about the importance of agility, the internal decision-making process behind going DTC, and what other developers can learn from Niantic’s experience.
In another episode, “Where Mobile Monetization Is Headed,” Xsolla’s own Artem Liubutov sits down with Hewish to unpack what makes a webshop succeed. The conversation explores both the technical considerations and the behavioral factors at play, offering grounded advice for developers who want to take more control over their revenue streams in an era of platform uncertainty.
“The Power of Player Communities” brings another critical perspective, as AJ Sath of Xsolla speaks with Stephen Lee of Deca Games. Their conversation focuses on long-term player retention and the cultural architecture behind thriving game communities. Lee discusses how Deca Games approaches live ops and community-driven design not just to extend the life of a title, but to create environments that players want to invest in over time.
According to Hewish, these conversations reflect Xsolla’s core philosophy: that the best ideas come from practitioners. “We created State of Play and Xsolla Conversations to elevate real stories from the people doing the work,” said Hewish. “Whether you’re a developer launching your first game or an executive navigating global business decisions, you deserve content that doesn’t just inform, but connects. These shows are about substance, not soundbites. And they’re part of our broader effort to make the business of games more transparent, collaborative, and resilient.”
Both podcasts are part of a strategic content engine that feeds Xsolla’s broader communications platform. Episodes are shared via major podcast platforms and repurposed into blog posts, LinkedIn articles, conference narratives, and social media content, ensuring that the insights don’t stop at audio but travel across the formats and channels where developers already live and learn.
The post Xsolla Launches State of Play and Xsolla Conversations to Spark New Industry Dialogue through Podcast Storytelling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Evoplay, the acclaimed game development studio, has unveiled a sunlit Egyptian tale with the launch of Gems of Ra 3 Pots, its newest slot game where holy riches and celestial enhancements influence every spin.
Nestled among majestic pyramids, Gems of Ra 3 Pots crafts a realm overseen by the deities Anubis, Horus, and Isis, each bestowing distinct abilities that alter the Bonus Game.
Wilds show up on reels two to five, replacing all standard symbols to form winning combinations. They can appear as individual icons or in complete stacks, boosting the likelihood of triggering payouts in the base game.
Central to the experience are four kinds of Bonus symbols: Blue, Red, Green, and Money, each with random values and the chance to activate Mini, Mega, and Super jackpots.
Activating the Bonus Game occurs when landing Blue, Red, or Green symbols with a matching booster. The Extra Wealth enhancer boosts the worth of as many as four Bonus symbols, while Extra Reels introduces a separate independent bonus area, with both grids merging their rewards at the conclusion of the round. The Extra Spins booster enhances the feature to four spins, prolonging the pursuit of treasure even more.
The Bonus Game can be activated with one, two, or all three boosters at the same time. In this feature, only Money Bonus symbols are present, and gathering all 15 spots grants access to the Grand Jackpot.
Featuring win potential exceeding 6,000x, the game combines a traditional Egyptian slot ambiance with a contemporary feature design centered on strategy-focused bonus upgrades.
Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Gems of Ra 3 Pots is all about discovery and escalation. We wanted to create a slot that captures the grandeur of Egyptian mythology while giving players meaningful ways to influence the Bonus Game through the different god-powered boosters.
“It’s a title that combines atmosphere, clarity, and strong win potential, offering a fresh take on a theme players continue to love.”
The post Evoplay Opens the Portal to Wealth in Gems of Ra 3 Pots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Maverick game studio Peter & Sons has revealed a significant new collaboration with bet365, a top online gambling operator globally, enhancing its foothold in essential regulated markets around the world.
Peter & Sons’ unique portfolio has now launched with bet365 in the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and various other regulated markets, providing fully localized and compliant experiences customized for players in each region. The launch signifies an important achievement for the studio, emphasizing its dedication to controlled expansion and enduring strategic alliances.
Established in 2019 with a goal to represent the “anti-boring,” Peter & Sons has gained acclaim for striking art direction, engaging narratives, and creative mechanics. Through the integration of exceptional artistry, mathematics, and sound creation, the studio consistently produces top-performing games that shine in competitive markets.
bet365 is internationally acknowledged for its technology-focused platform, strict regulatory adherence, and exceptional player experience. Catering to millions of clients in regulated regions, the operator is recognized for collaborating with top suppliers to improve its varied gaming portfolio.
The partnership is expected to grow further in the upcoming months, with Italy, Brazil, Ontario, Greece, and Sweden already confirmed as new launch markets. This gradual implementation will greatly expand the worldwide availability of Peter & Sons’ content, presenting its distinctive collection to a wider global audience.
Yann Bautista, Commercial Director and Founder at Peter & Sons commented: “Partnering with bet365 represents an important step in our regulated market strategy. bet365’s reputation for technological excellence and compliance aligns perfectly with our long-term vision. We are proud to see our games live across several major jurisdictions and look forward to expanding this collaboration even further.”
Clement Le Scanff, bet365 Head of Gaming Commercial and Operations, said: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Peter & Sons. This collaboration is testament to our commitment to providing cutting-edge content that enhances the customer experience and delivers engaging, entertaining gameplay.”
The post Peter & Sons Joins bet365 in Strategic Multi‑Market Collaboration appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alina Mihaela Popa Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21
ICONIC21 Boosts Romania Operations Through VivaBet Alliance
ICONIC21 advances its strategic growth in regulated markets through a new collaboration with VivaBet, a rapidly expanding online casino operator in Romania.
By means of this agreement, sought-after supplier ICONIC21 provides a collection of more than 15 live casino games, enhancing VivaBet’s selection with content focused on performance.
VivaBet established a solid presence in the Romanian market by emphasizing a varied casino selection and a user-friendly platform designed for local users. Functioning within Romanian regulations, the brand persists in investing to broaden its content library to stay pertinent in a fiercely competitive landscape.
The inclusion of ICONIC21’s live casino collection helps achieve this goal by presenting contemporary studios, rapid gameplay, and multiplier-driven features that enhance player involvement.
Among the games going live with VivaBet are some of ICONIC21’s strongest performers:
· Gravity Blackjack
· Gravity Roulette
· Multiple variations of Baccarat
The Gravity Series, recognized for its multiplier mechanics integrated into classic formats, introduces an additional dimension to conventional table games. This strategy has reliably produced high engagement metrics in various markets.
Merging traditional casino elements with improved payout opportunities and refined studio aesthetics, the collection meets the desires of Romanian players who are progressively pursuing both recognition and extra thrill.
Commenting on the partnership, Alina Mihaela Popa, Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21, said: “Romania is a key regulated market for us, and partnering with VivaBet marks another important step in strengthening our footprint locally. We see strong demand for live content that blends classic gameplay with modern mechanics, particularly within our Gravity Series. Collaborating with an operator that understands its audience and is focused on continuous growth allows us to deliver real value.”
From VivaBet’s side, Matei Secaci, Head of Casino, added: “We are pleased to integrate ICONIC21’s live portfolio into our platform. Expanding our array of games with a provider that is growing quickly and investing in high quality production enables us to further enhance the experience we offer our players. The addition of titles such as Gravity Blackjack and Gravity Roulette brings fresh energy to our live casino section.”
The partnership with VivaBet is a key element of ICONIC21’s wider growth plan in regulated European markets. Through providing adaptable integration, a varied live portfolio, and studio-led innovation, the company remains a dependable partner for operators in search of unique live casino content.
With the increasing demand for interactive, enhanced live games, collaborations like this one strengthen ICONIC21’s dedication to providing scalable, performance-oriented solutions customized to the requirements of each market.
The post ICONIC21 Boosts Romania Operations Through VivaBet Alliance appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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