Payments in the Americas
The Americas, led by the United States, Canada, and Brazil, now account for more than billion USD in annual video game revenue. This is one of the most valuable and competitive regions in global gaming, where success depends not just on great content, but on delivering seamless, localized checkout experiences. As players across North and South America demand more control, flexibility, and speed when making purchases, the payment methods developers offer can directly impact revenue, retention, and market expansion.Meeting gamers wherever they want to pay is no longer optional.United States: Faster and installment options gain steamIn the U.S., traditional credit and debit card dominance is waning. Players are adopting faster, bank-linked payment options and installment-based methods that offer both security and flexibility.Pay by Bank has rapidly grown in popularity, especially among mobile and younger users who prioritize speed and security. As of early 2025, nearly 9 million Americans use Pay by Bank each month. With major retailers backing the method, transaction volume is expected to surpass billion this year.In parallel, Affirm has emerged as a top Buy Now, Pay Laterprovider in the U.S. and beyond. Affirm has processed over billion in transactions over the past five years and now serves nearly 17 million active users. By enabling purchases in manageable installments, BNPL increases accessibility and boosts average transaction size, especially for higher-value bundles, subscriptions, and digital add-ons.Canada: Flexibility drives adoptionThe Canadian market shares many consumer behaviors with its U.S. counterpart, but it has its own unique payment dynamics. Canadian gamers, particularly younger ones, are showing strong demand for installment-based options that give them more control over spending.Affirm’s footprint in Canada is expanding fast. As of February 2025, Affirm is integrated at checkout across more than 279,000 retailers. This early adoption wave shows how developers can gain an edge by offering localized, flexible payments tuned to consumer expectations.Brazil: Mobile-first, subscription-readyBrazil stands out as one of the most mobile-driven gaming economies globally. Recurring payments and digital wallets are the default here, not the exception.Mercado Pago is one of the most widely adopted payment platforms in Brazil. As of Q1 2025, it reported 64 million monthly active users—a 31% year-over-year increase. For game developers, this platform isn’t just another option—it’s critical infrastructure. Its recurring billing features make it especially well-suited to live service games, battle passes, and subscription models.By adding support for Mercado Pago, Xsolla helps developers enable long-term monetization and retention while removing friction for a massive mobile audience that expects fast, familiar, and reliable payment flows.One infrastructure, multiple marketsThese regional payment trends aren’t just interesting; they’re actionable. Developers who integrate local methods can significantly increase conversion rates, reduce purchase drop-offs, and build trust in highly competitive markets.Platforms like Xsolla Pay Station now provide integrated support for these local options: Pay by Bank, coming soon in the U.S., Affirm in both the U.S. andCanada, and recurring billing via Mercado Pago in Brazil. With a single implementation, developers can reach more players using payment tools they already trust.Why it mattersThe stakes are high. Without support for local payment methods, developers risk underperforming in key markets. A generic global checkout can’t match the expectations of users who are used to specific transaction styles, like fast confirmation via Pay by Bank or the flexibility of BNPL.And when users don’t see familiar, trusted options, they abandon their carts. That’s not just a missed opportunity, it’s a loss of lifetime value. Retention and loyalty begin at the first purchase. Providing secure, localized checkout experiences lays the foundation for long-term engagement.What developers should do nowTo grow in the Americas, it’s no longer enough to simply localize game content. Payment localization is equally vital. Developers expanding into the U.S., Canada, or Brazil should evaluate whether their current checkout options match how players in those countries actually prefer to pay.Supporting Pay by Bank and Affirm in the U.S. opens the door to millions of gamers who want speed and flexibility. Adding Affirm in Canada addresses a growing demand among younger users. Enabling recurring billing through Mercado Pago in Brazil unlocks subscription revenue in a market that’s mobile-first by default.As the competitive landscape shifts, aligning payment infrastructure with regional preferences isn’t just smart, it’s essential. Game developers who do it well will not only unlock more revenue but also build stronger, more loyal player communities in the process.Read the original article here
#payments #americasPayments in the Americas
The Americas, led by the United States, Canada, and Brazil, now account for more than billion USD in annual video game revenue. This is one of the most valuable and competitive regions in global gaming, where success depends not just on great content, but on delivering seamless, localized checkout experiences. As players across North and South America demand more control, flexibility, and speed when making purchases, the payment methods developers offer can directly impact revenue, retention, and market expansion.Meeting gamers wherever they want to pay is no longer optional.United States: Faster and installment options gain steamIn the U.S., traditional credit and debit card dominance is waning. Players are adopting faster, bank-linked payment options and installment-based methods that offer both security and flexibility.Pay by Bank has rapidly grown in popularity, especially among mobile and younger users who prioritize speed and security. As of early 2025, nearly 9 million Americans use Pay by Bank each month. With major retailers backing the method, transaction volume is expected to surpass billion this year.In parallel, Affirm has emerged as a top Buy Now, Pay Laterprovider in the U.S. and beyond. Affirm has processed over billion in transactions over the past five years and now serves nearly 17 million active users. By enabling purchases in manageable installments, BNPL increases accessibility and boosts average transaction size, especially for higher-value bundles, subscriptions, and digital add-ons.Canada: Flexibility drives adoptionThe Canadian market shares many consumer behaviors with its U.S. counterpart, but it has its own unique payment dynamics. Canadian gamers, particularly younger ones, are showing strong demand for installment-based options that give them more control over spending.Affirm’s footprint in Canada is expanding fast. As of February 2025, Affirm is integrated at checkout across more than 279,000 retailers. This early adoption wave shows how developers can gain an edge by offering localized, flexible payments tuned to consumer expectations.Brazil: Mobile-first, subscription-readyBrazil stands out as one of the most mobile-driven gaming economies globally. Recurring payments and digital wallets are the default here, not the exception.Mercado Pago is one of the most widely adopted payment platforms in Brazil. As of Q1 2025, it reported 64 million monthly active users—a 31% year-over-year increase. For game developers, this platform isn’t just another option—it’s critical infrastructure. Its recurring billing features make it especially well-suited to live service games, battle passes, and subscription models.By adding support for Mercado Pago, Xsolla helps developers enable long-term monetization and retention while removing friction for a massive mobile audience that expects fast, familiar, and reliable payment flows.One infrastructure, multiple marketsThese regional payment trends aren’t just interesting; they’re actionable. Developers who integrate local methods can significantly increase conversion rates, reduce purchase drop-offs, and build trust in highly competitive markets.Platforms like Xsolla Pay Station now provide integrated support for these local options: Pay by Bank, coming soon in the U.S., Affirm in both the U.S. andCanada, and recurring billing via Mercado Pago in Brazil. With a single implementation, developers can reach more players using payment tools they already trust.Why it mattersThe stakes are high. Without support for local payment methods, developers risk underperforming in key markets. A generic global checkout can’t match the expectations of users who are used to specific transaction styles, like fast confirmation via Pay by Bank or the flexibility of BNPL.And when users don’t see familiar, trusted options, they abandon their carts. That’s not just a missed opportunity, it’s a loss of lifetime value. Retention and loyalty begin at the first purchase. Providing secure, localized checkout experiences lays the foundation for long-term engagement.What developers should do nowTo grow in the Americas, it’s no longer enough to simply localize game content. Payment localization is equally vital. Developers expanding into the U.S., Canada, or Brazil should evaluate whether their current checkout options match how players in those countries actually prefer to pay.Supporting Pay by Bank and Affirm in the U.S. opens the door to millions of gamers who want speed and flexibility. Adding Affirm in Canada addresses a growing demand among younger users. Enabling recurring billing through Mercado Pago in Brazil unlocks subscription revenue in a market that’s mobile-first by default.As the competitive landscape shifts, aligning payment infrastructure with regional preferences isn’t just smart, it’s essential. Game developers who do it well will not only unlock more revenue but also build stronger, more loyal player communities in the process.Read the original article here
#payments #americas
