The gaming industry has unsurprisingly grown into one of the largest entertainment sectors in the world, with projections suggesting it could surpass $250 billion by 2028. At the core of this growth lies a global community of creators who are fuelling the industry’s spark.
But behind the hustle and bustle, many creators, from live streamers to esports influencers, rely on timely payouts to fund their next projects and their livelihoods. However, when payments are late or incorrect, it creates major hurdles and risks excluding the world’s most innovative gaming talent from the global gaming arena. As the industry continues to evolve, the infrastructure that supports creators must do so in parallel. Yet many legacy systems still struggle when it comes to handling multiple currencies, differing regulations, and complex cross-border payments. In turn, these challenges create friction for creators who solely rely on their creator income, which can already be inconsistent.
If businesses wish to better support creators, improving how they get paid needs to be a priority. By investing in better infrastructure, the gaming industry can offer reliable, timely payouts, helping keep it open, accessible, and thriving for talent all around the world.
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Legacy payment systems can no longer keep up with the fast-growing gaming industry
Legacy payment systems once worked for a different era of the industry, but modern gaming operates in a real-time economy that they simply can’t keep up with. Payouts must seamlessly move between players and platforms – something old infrastructure cannot muster.
Key moments that drive the industry forward, like streaming events or new game launches, cause high levels of demand, which will only continue to expose the limitations of these outdated methods.
On a global scale, this issue is intensified even further, as many gaming models rely on subscription bases that don’t allow access across borders. This inability to meet modern industry requirements creates a tension that makes creators want to run away. In fact, our research shows that over a third (37%) of UK respondents ceased working with their gaming platform due to payment issues.
In this environment, businesses need to keep pace with the industry if they are to remain competitive. After all, you can’t win a race if you’re still tying your shoes at the start line. An automated payment infrastructure is no longer just an upgrade, but a necessity to support creators and fuel industry growth.
Automated mass payment infrastructure is no longer a luxury; it’s an essential
Without reliable payouts across currencies and regions, creators face delays that not only threaten their livelihood but also their way of making money. The gaming industry can only grow as fast as payment systems allow, and right now, it’s trying to run before it can walk.
Digital and automated payments for gaming offer a quick and easy way for players and fans to transact. On a global scale, they can enable quicker deals by providing a greater level of transparency. This makes it much easier to track payments and ensure funds are distributed evenly and on time.
As the gaming industry keeps expanding, digital payments offer a scalable solution for managing financial transactions. As a result, businesses are able to process a larger volume of payments more quickly and efficiently. This infrastructure also helps specific gaming divisions, such as the eSports industry, continue to expand and continue reaching new audiences.
By offering greater accuracy and visibility, modern payments help businesses remain competitive while supporting the industry’s growth.
Unlocking global creativity and ensuring the gaming world remains accessible
Accessibility is the key to creating a global gaming economy, but right now, many of the world’s most talented players are still locked out. Modern payment systems need to be far more accessible than traditional methods, especially for players from countries with less developed infrastructures in place.
By enabling flexible transactions, automated platforms allow payments to work across a wide range of currencies and regions. This means creators from across borders can easily send and receive funds without the complexities of traditional international transfers, making the industry far more accessible.
Modern payment infrastructure additionally streamlines the intricacies of cross-border compliance and regulatory requirements. Integrated safety features such as identity verification and transaction monitoring help ensure payments are processed correctly and in line with relevant regulations. As a result, businesses can focus more on building competitive gaming experiences while maintaining a high level of trust, transparency, and financial reliability across the ecosystem.
What’s next for the global gaming industry
Ensuring the future of the global gaming industry means translating payments from traditional to contemporary.
Creators expect a seamless, reliable, and trusting process from businesses when receiving the payments that may well be keeping the lights on. However, if businesses keep trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, then creators will go elsewhere.
It’s the companies that move the gaming industry forward, rather than those stuck in the mud, that will grow with the fast-moving industry.
Rob Israch, President, Tipalti
