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Player DrivenAuthor: Greg
Welcome to Player Driven, the hub where gaming insights and community collide.We believe that behind every great game is a thriving community and an unforgettable player experience. Whether its building inclusive environments, exploring the latest tech, or diving into the art of storytelling, our mission is simple: to empower the creators, communities, and players that make the gaming world extraordinary.What Were About: Insightful Conversations Through our podcast and community clubhouse, we bring industry leaders, creators, and innovators together to explore the cutting-edge of gaming. Player-Centric Focus From accessibility to trust and safety, we champion the initiatives that keep players at the heart of the industry. Data Meets Creativity With a knack for combining KPIs with compelling narratives, we highlight strategies that dont just work but resonate. Community Building We celebrate what makes the gaming community special: its people. From indie developers to AAA veterans, every voice matters here.Join us as we explore what drives games, empowers communities, and defines success in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.Your Game. Your Story. Your Community. Language: en Genres: Business, Games, Leisure, Management Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The Rise of Web Shops: How Games Are Reclaiming Players and Profit
Monday, 20 April, 2026
For years, mobile gaming operated under one unspoken rule: give up ~30% of your revenue to platform holders like Apple and Google.That model is starting to break.In this episode of Player Driven, Greg sits down with Gil Tov-ly, CMO of Appcharge, to unpack one of the biggest structural shifts happening in gaming right now: the move toward direct-to-consumer (DTC).Gil brings a unique perspective, having worked across adtech, UGC platforms, and now fintech infrastructure for game studios. He shares how rising user acquisition costs, platform restrictions, and regulatory pressure have pushed studios to rethink how they monetize and engage players.What used to be an experiment is quickly becoming the backbone of the industry. 🔑 What We Cover Why the “30% platform tax” is no longer sustainable  How DTC web shops are unlocking 20–25% more margin for studios  The real reason DTC is about more than revenue — it’s about owning the player relationship  How top studios are already driving 30–40% of revenue through web stores  What actually happens to player behavior when you introduce off-platform payments  Why trust (not tech) is the biggest barrier to adoption  The rise of new roles like DTC managers and web shop leads inside studios  How AI is reshaping marketing, product design, and creative workflows in gaming 🎯 Key TakeawayThe biggest shift isn’t just saving money.It’s control.Studios are moving from renting their players through platforms… to owning the relationship, the data, and the monetization strategy end-to-end.And once that happens, everything changes. 🚀 Why This MattersWe’re entering an era where: Growth is coming from efficiency, not just more playtime  Margins are being reinvested into UA, LiveOps, and AI  Direct player relationships are becoming a competitive advantage DTC isn’t a side channel anymore.It’s becoming core infrastructure for modern game studios.LinksAppcharge - Payments Built for Mobile GamesPlayer Driven Discord: https://discord.gg/zdwAqvgvfyPlayer Driven
