Berkley Egenes | Gaming is for Everyone: Xsolla, SpecialEffect & the Next Era of Gaming

The latest episode of the Good Game Club Podcast dives into the power of gaming ecosystems, accessibility, and community impact with Berkley Egenes from Xsolla. Recorded during London Games Festival, the conversation explores how the games industry can create opportunities far beyond entertainment - from helping indie developers access global funding to supporting inclusive gaming through partnerships with organisations like SpecialEffect. Berkley shares how gaming connects people across borders, generations, and abilities, and why the future of the industry depends on doing more good together. Xsolla Developer Scholarship Program - Cologne 2026 is an initiative designed to support independent and mid-tier game developers who face financial barriers to attending gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany. To find out more, visit: https://events.xsolla.com/xsolladevel... Find out more about the work that Xsolla does here: https://xsolla.com Further information can be found below: https://xsolla.com/funding https://xsolla.com/blog/xsolla-steven... https://xsolla.com/newsroom/xsolla-br... 00:00 – Welcome Back from London Games Festival Reflections on London Games Festival, live podcasting, and Games for Change arriving in London. 01:08 – Introducing Berkley Egenes & Xsolla How Xsolla supports developers through funding, monetisation, distribution, and payments across 200+ regions. 03:15 – “All the Things” — Xsolla’s New Vision The meaning behind Xsolla’s new tagline and how they simplify the business side of games for creators. 04:34 – Gaming Is for Everyone Why accessibility, inclusivity, and breaking barriers are core to Xsolla’s mission. 06:13 – Partnering with SpecialEffect & Stevenage FC How a football sponsorship evolved into a powerful accessibility initiative supporting adaptive gaming controllers. 10:59 – Meeting Rodney & the Emotional Impact of Accessible Gaming The story behind the campaign shoot and how adaptive controllers change lives through play. 12:48 – Gaming as a Social Connector Why gaming is far from antisocial — and how games build friendships, relationships, and communities worldwide. 15:02 – The Ripple Effect of Gaming for Good How partnerships like SpecialEffect inspire employees, strengthen culture, and create global community impact. 19:49 – Supporting Developers Beyond Funding Inside Xsolla Funding Club and how developers are connected with investors, publishers, and growth opportunities. 22:32 – Bringing 45 Developers to GDC The scholarship initiative that helped indie studios from around the world attend GDC and connect with investors. 25:48 – Why Ecosystems Matter More Than Competition How developers collaborate, share opportunities, and support one another rather than compete. 29:31 – Why Gaming for Good Must Become the Industry Standard The importance of diversity, representation, and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds. 32:52 – The Next 5–10 Years of Gaming Why the future of games will be more global, hyper-local, mobile-first, and policy-driven. 36:08 – Industry Layoffs, Reinvention & New Studios How post-pandemic restructuring may create opportunities for new creative studios and indie innovation. 38:38 – Favourite Games & Personal Impact Why Mario Kart and Minecraft hold special meaning through family connection, creativity, and learning. 42:05 – The Golden Thread Question What music track would belong in the next great game experience?