The global gaming market has fully entered a multi-platform era where the boundaries between PC, mobile, and console are blurring. In this transitional period, building Web Shops and localized payment infrastructure to alleviate the burden of in-app purchase fees from Google and Apple has become a prerequisite for game companies aiming for global expansion.

At the heart of this transformation is a company that has established itself as a reliable partner for game developers by providing payment solutions in over 200 countries worldwide: Xsolla. On May 27, Xsolla hosted 'Xsolla Connect Seoul 2026,' further expanding its engagement with Korean game companies.

We met with Lee Ju-yeon, Head of APAC at Xsolla, at the event to discuss the status of the Korean market from Xsolla's perspective, the strengths of its Web Shop solutions, and strategies for tapping into emerging markets.

"Connectivity, Monetization, and Global Growth"... The Key Themes of Xsolla Connect Seoul 2026

Hello. Could you start by introducing yourself to the INVEN readers.

"Hello, I am Lee Ju-yeon, Head of APAC at Xsolla.

'Xsolla Connect Seoul 2026' was a great success. What were the core keywords of this event, and what message did you want to convey to Korean game companies?

"The core keywords for this event were 'Connectivity,' 'Monetization,' and 'Global Growth.' Xsolla aims to provide the necessary payment infrastructure and monetization tools so that Korean game companies can compete confidently in the global market.

The core message we want to convey is clear: Xsolla is not just a 'payment solution provider,' but a 'partner' that thinks alongside game developers about their growth. We are committed to doing our best to ensure that Korean games can generate revenue easily and securely in over 200 countries worldwide.

You must have met a wide variety of global game companies. How do you evaluate the status of the Korean game market in the global landscape, and are there any unique payment or consumption trends in Korea.

"Korea is one of the most mature and innovative game markets in the world. It possesses world-class competitiveness, particularly in the mobile game sector, and is a market that has led global trends in the MMORPG genre.

In terms of payment trends, Korean users utilize a wide range of methods, including credit cards, simple payment services like Kakao Pay and Naver Pay, and carrier-based micro-payments. Consequently, their expectations for payment speed and security are very high. Xsolla continues to expand payment options that reflect these characteristics of the Korean market to meet the needs of local users.

Many domestic game companies, regardless of size, are now considering global expansion. What aspect of localization services for these companies are you focusing on the most.

"The area we have put the most effort into is 'payment localization.' Beyond simple language translation, we have integrated payment methods familiar to Korean users—such as Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, and Inicis—at a native level. We have also established a comprehensive Korean-language customer support system and support accurate exchange rate processing based on the Korean Won (KRW) to ensure that Korean game companies face no inconvenience in operating global services.

'Web Shop': Leading the Multi-Platform Era by Cutting Fees and Optimizing UX

Since the fee issues with Google and Apple, 'Web Shops' have emerged as a powerful alternative. What are the differentiating strengths of Xsolla's Web Shop solution compared to competitors or in-house builds?

"Xsolla's greatest strength is that it is an "out-of-the-box, ready-to-launch solution." Building a Web Shop from scratch requires months of time and significant costs for PCI-DSS security certification, tax processing, and multi-language/multi-currency support. Xsolla's solution already has all of this built-in.

Furthermore, it supports over 700 global payment methods and has proven, through real-world data, to increase revenue conversion rates by over 20% and reduce fees by more than 30%. We support game companies so they can focus solely on making great games for their players.

Many developers worry about user churn or reduced accessibility when introducing a Web Shop. What is Xsolla's unique UX optimization strategy to overcome this.

"Concerns about user churn are very natural and realistic. To address this head-on, Xsolla provides customizable Web Shop designs that integrate naturally with the game's in-game UI.

We also continuously improve conversion rates through features like guest checkout (purchasing without logging in), one-click payments, and A/B testing based on user behavior data. Our mobile-first UX design ensures a seamless purchasing experience even in smartphone environments.

Could you share any domestic or international success stories where a Web Shop was introduced with dramatic results.

"Due to non-disclosure agreements, I cannot name specific partners, but one mid-sized domestic mobile game company shifted 35% of its total revenue to the Web Shop channel within six months of implementation. This resulted in annual cost savings of approximately ₩1.5 billion compared to app store fees.

As a global example, a large RPG game company saw its conversion rate rise by 22% and its Average Revenue Per Paying User (ARPPU) increase by 18% just one month after adopting the Xsolla Web Shop.

We are now in the era of 'multi-platform,' where the boundaries between PC, mobile, and console are fading. What integrated payment solutions are you preparing to meet these environmental changes.

"Cross-platform payment integration is one of Xsolla's core strategies. We are continuously advancing an integrated solution that provides a consistent payment experience across PC, mobile, and console via a single API.

In particular, we support a cross-platform user account system, allowing users to utilize the same wallet and reward points regardless of the platform they pay on. This significantly contributes to strengthening the player lock-in effect and increasing Customer Lifetime Value (LTV).

'Benefits' for Gamers, Powerful 'Anti-Fraud' for Game Companies!

Among general gamers, there may still be vague anxiety regarding overseas payment processing. What measures have you put in place to increase trust among Korean users.

"There are three trust-building measures. First, direct payment in KRW is possible through major domestic simple payment services, eliminating the sense of unfamiliarity associated with overseas payments. Second, we strictly comply with regulations such as the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) based on the world-class PCI-DSS Level 1 certification. Third, we operate a dedicated Korean-language customer service center to respond quickly to any issues. Xsolla is a proven partner that has already processed hundreds of millions of transactions in over 200 countries. You can use our services with peace of mind.

What are the tangible benefits that general gamers can feel when using the Xsolla payment window?

"The most noticeable aspect is the Web Shop-exclusive bonus. An increasing number of game companies are offering additional items or in-game resources as bonuses when users pay via the Web Shop instead of the app store. For gamers, this means they can get more benefits while using the same payment methods they usually use, such as Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, or Toss. Transparent payment history management and easy refund processing are also key advantages.

Xsolla's powerful 'Anti-fraud' system is also famous. How are you responding to issues like workshops or abusing, which are particularly problematic in the Korean market?

"Our anti-fraud system is centered on a real-time, machine learning-based anomaly detection engine. To detect sophisticated workshop and account trading patterns prevalent in Korea, we apply multi-layered technologies such as IP clustering analysis, device fingerprinting, and transaction velocity anomaly detection. Additionally, custom rules can be set for each game, allowing for fine-tuned adjustments to anti-fraud policies according to the characteristics and guidelines of each title.

Supporting the Indie Game Ecosystem, Tapping into Emerging Markets, and Future Vision

I heard that Xsolla is particularly active in supporting the indie game ecosystem, not just large game companies. What practical help are you providing to Korean indie developers aiming for global expansion?

"Supporting indie developers is a core philosophy of Xsolla. As a practical support measure, we waive initial setup fees and apply a revenue-based fee structure to minimize cost burdens when there is no initial revenue. We also provide services that connect them to a network of global publishers and investors.

Furthermore, through the 'Xsolla Partner Network,' we support entry into major platforms such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo eShop, and leverage our 200-country payment infrastructure to shorten the journey to generating actual revenue as much as possible.

Korean games are looking to enter emerging markets like Southeast Asia and India. What is the most powerful weapon Xsolla can provide?

"It is our 'localized payment infrastructure.' We already fully support hundreds of local payment methods, such as regional e-wallets like GrabPay, GoPay, and OVO in Southeast Asia, or UPI and Paytm in India. Since these regions have low credit card penetration and are mobile-payment-centric, the number of local payment methods secured directly translates to revenue. We also support the automation of complex local tax processing, such as GST and VAT, significantly lowering the market entry barrier for game companies.

As of 2026, new technologies like AI and blockchain are having a major impact on the payment market. How is Xsolla incorporating these into its services.

"AI is already being deeply integrated into areas like fraud detection, personalized promotional offers, and 'smart routing' to minimize payment failure rates. On the blockchain front, we are continuously expanding cryptocurrency payment support for the Web3 gaming ecosystem and building infrastructure for NFT-based item trading. However, Xsolla’s core principle is to prioritize whether a technology can provide real value to game companies and users before we adopt it.

What are Xsolla’s specific goals for the Korean market over the next three years.

"We plan to increase the number of partner game companies in Korea by more than three times over the next three years. We will focus on strengthening our position, especially in the mid-sized and indie developer segments. Furthermore, our goal is to solidify Korea as a key hub for Xsolla's APAC region and be recognized as the top partner for the global expansion of Korean games.

Lastly, a word for the INVEN readers?

"First, to the gamers, I hope Xsolla is remembered as a place that "creates a payment experience that is cheaper and offers more benefits." We will constantly strive to ensure that payment is not a burden, but another enjoyable part of the gaming experience.

To industry professionals, I want to be remembered as a "reliable growth partner." We will solve all the complex problems of monetization and payments, so developers can focus solely on making great games. Xsolla will always be by your side for your growth. Thank you.