Web Shop Success: Kavalri Games

About Kavalri Games

Kavalri Games is a game development studio focused on creating equestrian-themed games. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Stockholm, Sweden. It is supported by approximately 20 employees, including Chief Executive Officer Molly Ericson and Creative Director Axl Andersson. Their flagship product, Equestrian the Game, offers players the experience of horse riding, breeding, and competing in a virtual environment. 

After carefully considering web platforms and online store solutions for Equestrian the Game, Kavalri Games determined that Xsolla Web Shop was their best choice, given new mobile app store guidelines and oppressive commission fees.

80 Level recently interviewed Ms. Ericson about their search for the most fitting solution and provider.

Can you share the story behind Kavalri Games' founding and what inspired you to focus on equestrian-themed games?

Growing up, I’d always loved horses and equestrian sports. As a gamer, I was always on the lookout for new horse games to try and had many ideas on the topic. When I finished my education as a game designer, I decided I wanted to try and make a horse game of my own, together with two fellow students.

What makes Equestrian the Game unique to other horse riding and breeding games?

Having a background as an equestrian, I could introduce many details that made the game authentic in regards to game design and the visuals of the horses. We opted for a more complex riding experience rather than a more simplified design. This resonated with many players. I think the attention to detail caught the eye of many players.

Why did Kavalri Games choose Xsolla for their webshop, and how would you describe your experience with the Xsolla team's support during the integration and launch?

We’d heard about Xsolla from our peers and wanted to test their platform for ourselves. Xsolla has been very supportive and active in helping us set up for success, both in terms of setup, informing us of best practices, and giving concrete feedback on our web shop.

How was the initial reception of Equestrian the Game’s web shop by your players? What feedback have they provided about web shopping? How do they like it?

We’ve soft-launched our Xsolla Web Shop store to give the players the best possible experience. The players know that by using our Xsolla web shop, they support the game's development, and of course, they appreciate the special offers we can provide!

Please tell us more about what motivates your players to purchase on the web.

Email marketing and social media have helped us drive traffic to our web shop. Good offers and a clean design have also helped lower the threshold for players to utilize the webshop.

What are your long-term goals for Kavalri Games and Equestrian the Game, and how do you see the partnership with Xsolla evolving?

A: We are just getting started optimizing our offers using the Xsolla webshop. We see ourselves continuously fine-tuning our strategy to give players the best possible ongoing experience. At the same time, we consistently work on updates for the game to keep it fresh and exciting for new players. We still have many ideas that we have yet to realize!

What advice would you give to other indie game developers seeking a webshop solution?

Don’t be afraid to test different options and explore paths that can lead to higher profitability. There’s lots of support regarding best practices, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re unsure.

About Xsolla Web Shop

Xsolla Web Shop is a branded online store for mobile game web sales. It is an integral part of direct-to-consumer (D2C) monetization —also known as direct-to-player, or D2P — a strategy that expands games’ LiveOps capabilities to increase player LTV, retention, engagement, and incremental revenue.