Partner Content, presented by Xsolla
The mobile games industry is undergoing a strategic shift toward direct-to-consumer (D2C) monetization. As more developers look for ways to build closer relationships with their players and retain more revenue, web shops have moved from an experimental approach to a widely adopted, industry-standard solution.
Xsolla Web Shop has been powering D2C stores for mobile games since 2021 and has launched more than 600 web shops. Right in time for Gamescom, the company announced a suite of new features aimed at streamlining operations, boosting retention, and increasing margins outside traditional app store ecosystems.
The update introduces catalog management improvements, adaptive reward chains, social quests, Discord Bot and Offerwall integration, push notifications, and Buy Button for iOS in the US that enables link-out to purchases via browser-based payments. According to Xsolla, these upgrades are designed to help developers navigate rising user acquisition costs, fluctuating regulations, and high in-app store fees by expanding their direct-to-consumer sales channels.
“With the new updates to Web Shop, we’re giving developers a powerful extension of their in-game monetization,” says Chris Hewish, president of Xsolla. “It’s built for liveOps management, designed to perform, and aligned with the latest market dynamics. It’s not just about long-term revenue—it’s about operating smarter and maximizing the player relationship.”
Key changes target smarter operations
Launching and operating a new D2C channel can feel like a heavy lift, especially when your team needs to stay focused on developing the game itself. Every part of Xsolla Web Shop is built to minimize manual work and reduce overhead. Mobile developers can import their catalog automatically, sync it with their in-game store, and make changes quickly, even if they’re managing hundreds of SKUs. This enables a consistent, streamlined experience across the web and a game, without pulling resources away from core development.
Key changes target higher LTV and engagement
Retention and lifetime value get a major boost through a set of mechanics designed to turn first-time buyers into repeat customers. Based on Xsolla’s data, 80% of their web shop users return and make a repeat payment.
Adaptive Offer Chains evolve with each purchase, encouraging players to come back and spend more. Supported with other features like daily rewards, reward chains, and a loyalty store, it helps build a buying habit, turning your Web Shop into a destination players regularly return to.
Xsolla Web Shop also helps increase weekly player engagement by over 20% through the addition of Social Quests, Discord Bot integration, and Offerwall support. You can now expand your Web Shop into Discord, driving direct revenue with external purchase links embedded directly in your server. Social quests reward players for joining your channels, engaging with content, and returning to your Web Shop for more purchases. And for players who don’t typically spend, the Offerwall provides an alternative path to monetization—rewarding them for ad engagement while keeping them in your ecosystem.
Browser-based push notifications, delivered through progressive web app (PWA) technology, can re-engage players with event alerts and personalized offers. Xsolla says early adopters have seen conversion increases of more than 30%.
A new payment path on iOS
One of the most notable additions is the Buy Button for mobile games, which allows players to make purchases via browser through link-out directly from your iOS game. The feature, supported by a recent U.S. District Court ruling that requires Apple to permit outbound links to alternative payment options, could yield up to 25% higher margins on iOS transactions in the U.S. First results show revenue growth 120%+ after Buy Button integration.
The company has also expanded integrations with mobile measurement partners (MMPs) such as Appsflyer and Adjust, with Singular support planned, to improve attribution, cross-platform analytics, and campaign optimization.
Positioning for the D2C future
The Web Shop and Buy Button upgrades are part of Xsolla’s broader push to make D2C sales a standard part of mobile game live operations. By bypassing traditional platform fees and enabling closer player relationships, the company argues, studios can improve margins while retaining more control over their data and monetization strategy.
Learn more about the latest Web Shop release at https://webshop.xsolla.com/home.