Xsolla appoints Konstantin Golubitsky as CEO

Xsolla has appointed Konstantin Golubitsky as CEO to speed up the corporate’s progress as a cost and commerce supplier for video video games.

Xsolla is elevating Golubitsky, beforehand the chief know-how officer at Xsolla, to the highest place after a decade as the corporate’s CTO. The corporate began in Perm, Russia, and it has expanded to quite a few areas reminiscent of Los Angeles.

Golubitsky will concentrate on methods to bolster the platform’s place in online game commerce, strengthen firm tradition, and construct on Xsolla’s historical past of innovation. The corporate tradition half is vital because the earlier CEO Shurick Aleksandr Agapitov fired 150 workers after doing an information evaluation of their exercise. The incident was condemned for the callous method the CEO utilized in his firing letter.

HR consultants criticized Agapitov’s tone in addition to his reliance on evaluation of community time as a technique to measure worker productiveness and firing of us who got here up missing. I requested Golubitsky about that incident, and he despatched an e mail reply by means of his PR of us.

“Whereas layoffs are by no means straightforward, what excites me about this function is the chance to guide Xsolla in its subsequent part of progress,” Golubitsky mentioned within the e mail. “It’s an incredible probability to construct upon the work we’ve finished during the last decade. We’re targeted on the longer term and creating services and products that contribute to a rising international online game financial system.”

He added, “Online game consumption is at an all-time excessive and, whereas the previous two years of a pandemic have been difficult, Xsolla is lucky to not solely survive however to thrive throughout these shifting instances. I’m thrilled to have this chance at the moment in our historical past.”

I requested what he would do concerning the tradition. He replied, “At Xsolla, we perceive that tradition is vital. We’re working onerous to create a tradition that’s clear and honest. As higher administration, our duty is to assist groups whereas the corporate grows. To make sure this stage of transparency we’re engaged on implementing inside techniques to set targets and assist everybody clearly perceive tips on how to succeed and be rewarded on the firm.”

The corporate has 500 workers.

Golubitsky has helped develop and launch over 20 new commerce services and products throughout his tenure over 10 years. He additionally lately accomplished the manager training program at Harvard Enterprise Faculty.

I requested him what his priorities are.

“From my perspective, our core product progress is essential to future success. Xsolla will proceed to construct higher, extra technologically superior services and products, and speed up new commerce alternatives for cell sport builders,” Golubitsky mentioned. “We hear intently to what our companions want and are launching a brand new model of our flagship funds product, Xsolla Pay Station, later this 12 months. This contains extra focus and assist on cell platforms.”

He mentioned the corporate additionally plans to carry extra buyers and sport builders to Xsolla Sport Funding Platform, which is able to create extra alternatives for indie and mid-tier studios to attach with buyers and get the funding they want.

Golubitsky mentioned these enhancements have attracted enterprise companions together with Epic Video games, NetEase, Nexters, Roblox Company, Twitch, and Ubisoft to companion with the corporate and broaden their international commerce footprint with greater than 700 cost strategies in over 200 areas all over the world.

Xsolla proprietor and founder, Agapitov, continues to function Xsolla’s chairman of the Board. Agapitov has additionally based X.LA, a enterprise engine targeted on internet 3.

“I’ve labored intently with Konstantin during the last decade to construct Xsolla, and I’m assured he’ll present the management the corporate wants at this stage of progress,” mentioned Agapitov, in an announcement. “And with Konstantin on the helm, I’ll be capable of concentrate on future improvements for Xsolla and the gaming business.”

I additionally requested Golubitsky concerning the firm’s metaverse alternative. He mentioned, “We’ve got a number of large initiatives underway; nevertheless, we first have to settle into the brand new construction. Xsolla’s proprietor and founder, Shurick Agapitov, will proceed to advise me throughout the transition and lead the cost on upcoming Internet 3.0 alternatives. Extra to return on that shortly.”

He mentioned the corporate nonetheless screens the influence of issues like Apple’s concentrate on privateness over focused promoting, in addition to the consequences of the Epic v. Apple lawsuit. (We’re exploring that in a webinar at this time at 10 am Pacific time.)

Xsolla has created a Internet Store for Cell Video games. He mentioned it provides builders the flexibility to create customized shops and kind direct relationships with gamers. This implies their acquisition and monetization efforts are now not impacted by different platforms’ restrictions.

Golubitsky mentioned the corporate is beefing up its presence in present markets by means of our regional workplaces in South Korea and German. Additionally it is establishing presences in key rising markets reminiscent of China, the Center East, and different areas.