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Chris Hewish

President

Xsolla

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Chris Hewish

Thiwanka Hewage

Sackville Capital

House of Heydari

Chris Hewish’s Biography

Chris Hewish is known for blending creative vision with operational precision, delivering lasting impact across a career at the forefront of the global games industry. He has shaped billion-dollar franchises, scaled high-performing teams, and led through some of the most pivotal transformations in gametech and fintech.

From Activision and DreamWorks to Survios, Skydance, and now Xsolla, alongside a few startups, Chris has built and led world-class, award-winning studios. He has delivered nearly 100 projects that reached hundreds of millions of players and generated billions in revenue. His leadership is defined by measurable results and by the cultures of innovation, resilience, and passion he cultivates.

Chris believes the future of games belongs to those who empower creators and respect players. It is a vision built on direct connection, where developers own their relationships, define their economies, and build sustainable businesses on their terms. For him, it is not just about how games are made, but how they are shared. Personally. Passionately. Player first.

Whether leading... Chris Hewish is known for blending creative vision with operational precision, delivering lasting impact across a career at the forefront of the global games industry. He has shaped billion-dollar franchises, scaled high-performing teams, and led through some of the most pivotal transformations in gametech and fintech.

From Activision and DreamWorks to Survios, Skydance, and now Xsolla, alongside a few startups, Chris has built and led world-class, award-winning studios. He has delivered nearly 100 projects that reached hundreds of millions of players and generated billions in revenue. His leadership is defined by measurable results and by the cultures of innovation, resilience, and passion he cultivates.

Chris believes the future of games belongs to those who empower creators and respect players. It is a vision built on direct connection, where developers own their relationships, define their economies, and build sustainable businesses on their terms. For him, it is not just about how games are made, but how they are shared. Personally. Passionately. Player first.

Whether leading Xsolla’s largest acquisition, launching market-defining products such as the Web Shop, or turning underperforming assets into industry-leading studios, Chris operates with a dual focus: strategic depth and human-centered leadership. He is just as comfortable negotiating with banks and governments as he was writing an Ork-themed letter to land his first job in games. That blend of bold creativity and disciplined execution has shaped his path from designer to executive. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Chris Hewish’s Newsfeed

Yahoo! Finance

Xsolla Expands Payment Coverage in Taiwan With JKOPay, Taiwan’s Leading Mobile Payment Brand

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City AM

Game Developers Can Now Capture More Holiday Demand With Xsolla’s Expanded Payments Portfolio

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Chris Hewish’s Background

Xsolla

President; Interim CEO (May 2023-March 2024)

Mar 2020 - Present

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Xsolla is a global financial technology and video game commerce company that provides developers and publishers with tools to launch, distribute, and monetize games worldwide. Its integrated platform simplifies payments, player engagement, and cross-border commerce, enabling partners to scale their businesses across multiple markets and platforms.

Skydance

EVP Interactive, Head of Studio (Skydance Interactive)

Apr 2017 - Mar 2019

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Skydance is a diversified entertainment company spanning film, television, animation, and interactive media. As EVP Interactive and Head of Studio, Chris built and led the company’s entire interactive division, overseeing strategy, slate planning, licensing, co-productions, business development, and the day-to-day operations of a 130-person development and publishing studio.

Survios

Head of Studio

2015 - 2017

Culver City, CA, USA

Survios is a virtual reality developer and publisher known for premium, immersive experiences across major VR platforms. Chris served as Head of Studio at Survios, where he scaled and led development and publishing operations for this globally recognized VR content studio.

DreamWorks Animation

Head of Global Interactive

2008 - 2014

Glendale, CA, USA

DreamWorks Animation is a global animation studio behind major franchises including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and How to Train Your Dragon. Chris was Head of Global Interactive at the studio, where he managed the company’s interactive licensing and co-production business across console, PC, and mobile platforms.

Luxoflux

Lead Creative and Game Designer

Jan 2006 - Mar 2008

Santa Monica, CA, USA

Luxoflux was a Santa Monica–based video game developer owned by Activision, known for console franchises including True Crime before the studio’s closure in 2010. Chris was a senior creative and game designer at the company, working on large-scale, publisher-funded console games as part of Activision’s internal studio network.

Activision

Executive Producer and Creative Executive

Oct 1995 - Dec 2005

Santa Monica, CA, USA

Activision is a global video game publisher known for major franchises across console, PC, and emerging platforms. As an Executive Producer and Creative Executive, Chris worked on internal and external projects with responsibility for creative direction, production oversight, and P&L management.

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Chris Hewish’s Gallery

Previous Advisory Roles

Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

Panel Member

Oct 2018 - Nov 2024

Gardena, CA, USA

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences is a nonprofit organization that recognizes excellence in video games and interactive entertainment. The academy produces the annual D.I.C.E. Awards and supports industry education and leadership.

Los Angeles Business Technology Center

Advisor

Jan 2010 - Jan 2014

Altadena, CA, USA

Founded in 1998, the Los Angeles Business Technology Center is a technology incubator that supports early-stage tech firms with mentoring, facilities, and help accessing funding and commercializing research.

Media

The Level Up Lounge | Check out the upcoming debut episode with Chris Hewish & Berkey Egenes of Xsolla

Podcast

Feb 2026

In this episode of The Level Up Lounge, Xsolla leaders Chris Hewish and Berkley Egenes explore the future of game commerce, global growth strategy, and the keys to building impactful partnerships in the interactive entertainment industry.

Modern CTO | Inside the Future of the Video Game Industry with Chris Hewish, Xsolla

Podcast

Apr 2025

In this episode of Modern CTO, Chris Hewish of Xsolla explores the evolving landscape of gaming, from emerging technologies to business strategies shaping the industry's next decade.

ONNJ: Mornings with Ken Rosato

TV Interview

Dec 2025

New York, NY, USA

This edition of ONNJ's 'Mornings with Ken Rosato' features Chris discussing the business of video games, industry growth, and how platforms like Xsolla help developers reach global audiences.

From App Stores to Ownership, Xsolla on Gaming's D2C Turning Point

Podcast

Jan 2026

In this episode of The Tech Talks Daily podcast, Chris discusses the shift toward direct-to-consumer (D2C) models in gaming. The conversation covers regulation, platform shifts, live service monetization, and how developers are increasingly taking ownership of player relationships, commerce, and long-term game operations.

Web3 Was a Failure…Will Gaming Save it? with Chris Hewish, President at Xsolla

Video podcast

Nov 2025

Joel Beasley, host of the Modern CTO podcast, talks to Chris about the evolution of Web3 in gaming, why early models failed, and how blockchain is being reimagined to support gameplay, creator economies, and more sustainable player adoption.

How D2C is reshaping game monetization with Chris Hewish, President of Xsolla

Podcast

Oct 2025

In this episode of Business of Apps Podcast Chris discusses how direct-to-consumer (D2C) models are reshaping game monetization. He highlights tools such as Xsolla’s Web Shop and explains how developers are using web-based stores to gain more control over revenue and player relationships.

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Thought Leadership

Forbes Technology Council: Chris Hewish

This profile highlights Forbes Technology Council Member Chris Hewish's contributions as a senior games industry executive. It includes his published articles on game commerce, platform strategy, and the evolving business of interactive entertainment.

chrishewish.com

Blog

chrishewish.com is Chris's personal blog, featuring essays and commentary on the business of games, leadership, and the evolving global games ecosystem. The website reflects his perspective as a senior industry executive, combining strategic insight with practical experience.

Features

Chris Hewish: The Most Visionary Leader in Gaming Ecosystem Growth & Developer Advocacy

Profile

Jan 2026

This cover story profiles Chris and his leadership at Xsolla, focusing on his work to help game developers sell their games worldwide and get paid across different markets. It also looks at how Xsolla supports creators in reaching players and growing their businesses globally.

Awards & Recognition

Annie Award

Best Animated Video Game: Kung Fu Panda

2008

Chris was involved in the interactive production and licensing of Kung Fu Panda during his tenure at DreamWorks Animation, a period that coincided with the title receiving the Annie Award for Best Animated Video Game.

Mobile Excellence Award

Best Game: Turbo FAST / Racing League Mobile Game

2013

During his time at DreamWorks Animation, Chris was involved in the interactive licensing and publishing of mobile titles based on DreamWorks franchises, including Turbo FAST / Racing League. The game went on to receive a Mobile Excellence Award for Best Game.

Training & Management Courses

Harvard Business School Executive Education

Advanced Management Program

2022

Cambridge, MA, USA

Charitable Interests

Games for Change

Supporter

Through his role at Xsolla, Chris has supported work connected to Games for Change, a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes games created for social impact. It works with developers, educators, and institutions to use games to address real-world issues such as education, health, social justice, and civic engagement.

St Vincent Medical Center

Member of the Board of Trustees

Jan 2010 - Jan 2014

Los Angeles, CA, USA

St Vincent Medical Center was a historic Catholic hospital in Los Angeles that served its community for more than 160 years. It closed in 2020 following financial difficulties and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chris Hewish’s Education

University of Southern Maine

Communication (BA)