Deploy international outbound calls for gaming in under 1 hour. Verify accounts, confirm payments, retain VIPs globally with pay-per-minute pricing from $0.02/min. Complete 2025 implementation guide with ROI calculator and fraud prevention strategies.

Your players are everywhere, but your messages are not. Email lands in spam. SMS fails in certain regions. Push notifications get muted. Yet you still need to protect accounts, verify payments, and keep VIPs engaged in real time across countries and time zones.

That is where international outbound calls for games come in. International outbound calling lets your game systems or support teams initiate phone calls to players worldwide through cloud-based platforms. You use outbound call solutions for gaming to verify accounts, confirm high-risk payments, solve urgent issues, and run high-impact engagement and retention programs.

Unlike traditional call center systems requiring 6-8 weeks and $25,000+ setup fees, modern cloud platforms enable international outbound calls in under 1 hour with pay-per-minute pricing—making global voice communication accessible to game studios of all sizes.

In this guide, you will get a clear, non-technical framework to use international outbound calls for gaming. You will see where calls beat email/SMS, what options exist on the market, how to launch with minimal risk, and how to choose the right outbound call solutions for gaming whether you are a small studio or a global publisher.

Key Takeaways From This Guide

If you only have a few minutes, here is what you will get from this guide:

• A clear definition of what international outbound calls for games are and how they fit into modern live-ops.
• Practical use cases across the full player lifecycle: verification, payments, support, marketing, VIP, and win-back.
• Why voice calls add trust, security, and conversion on top of email and SMS.
• The main ways to set up international outbound calling: cloud communication platforms, contact centers, and BPO partners.
• A simple 7-step framework to launch outbound calls with low risk and minimal dev effort.
• Key risks to control: regulations, consent, spam flags, player experience, and cost.
• How to choose a global calling solution that fits small, mid, and large game teams.
• Where light automation and AI voice bots make sense in gaming.
• Core KPIs to track and how to optimize outbound call scalability over time.
• Straightforward answers to FAQs on timing, local numbers, costs, and pilot setups.

International Outbound Calls for Games: Simple Guide for Global Player Engagement

This guide is for game teams that want reliable, real-time voice communication with global players without becoming telecom experts. You will get practical steps you can apply right away to improve global player engagement and protect revenue.

What Are International Outbound Calls for Games?

Simple Definition in a Gaming Context

International outbound calls for games are phone calls that your game, backend tools, or support teams initiate to players in other countries using cloud-based global communication services.

Instead of your staff dialing manually from a local phone, your systems talk to a cloud platform that can:

• Place calls to mobile and landline numbers in many countries.
• Use either automated voice (recordings or AI voice bots) or human agents.
• Trigger calls based on in-game events and CRM data.

Local outbound calls reach players in the same country as your operations. Cross-border outbound calling means reaching players in other countries and regions. For that, you need global calling solutions for game companies with strong coverage and routing.

At a high level, the flow looks like this:

• A player action or risk signal happens (new signup, big recharge, suspicious login).
• Your game backend sends a request to a cloud communication platform.
• The platform places an international VoIP call to the player’s number.
• The player hears a short message, an OTP code, a reminder, or talks with an agent.

You do not need to manage carriers or telephony hardware. The cloud provider handles call routing, quality, and basic compliance.

Where Outbound Calling Fits in the Player Lifecycle

Outbound calls are not a separate silo. They sit along the player lifecycle and support key moments where real-time trust matters.

Typical lifecycle points where calls make sense:

• New players:
  • Voice-based online game account verification with a spoken OTP or PIN when SMS is unreliable.
  • Onboarding support in markets where users distrust links in messages.
• Active players:
  • Reminders for tournaments and live events where attendance matters.
  • Outreach when player behavior suggests confusion or friction (support follow-up).
• Paying users:
  • Confirming large or unusual payments to reduce fraud and chargebacks.
  • Double-checking suspicious recharge patterns or new high-risk payment methods.
• VIP and high-value players:
  • Dedicated multinational player support for issues that could cause churn.
  • Early access invitations, feedback calls on new features, and personal check-ins.
• Churn-risk or lapsed players:
  • Win-back calls with tailored offers once digital nudges fail.
  • Qualitative feedback to understand why they stopped playing or paying.

Example: A global game developer notices a big top-up from a new device in LATAM. The system flags it and triggers an outbound call to confirm the transaction before delivering items, reducing fraud and player disputes.

Omnichannel Communication Integration in Games

Outbound calls work best when they are part of an omnichannel communication strategy. Omnichannel communication integration means using a mix of:

• In-app messages and push notifications.
• Email.
• SMS and chat apps like WhatsApp.
• Social channels and community platforms.
• Voice calls.

You do not want to call for everything. Use calls when:

• The risk is high (account security, payment fraud, VIP complaints).
• The value is high (top spenders, important tournaments, whales).
• Time is critical (limited-time events, urgent outages, security incidents).
• Other channels fail (no response to email/SMS/push).

To avoid over-contacting:

• Set frequency caps (for example, no more than one call per player per week for non-critical reasons).
• Define a channel ladder: start with push or in-app, then SMS/email, and escalate to calls only when needed.
• Respect player preferences: let players opt in or out of marketing calls and choose their preferred contact channels.

Key Use Cases of International Outbound Calls in the Gaming Industry

Account Registration and Login Verification

Voice-based dynamic verification is a strong use case for international outbound calls for gaming. Instead of sending only an SMS OTP, your system can place a call, speak the code, and let players type it back into the app.

This is especially useful when:

• SMS delivery is weak or inconsistent in certain regions.
• Carriers block short codes or promotional SMS.
• You see suspicious signups from VPNs, proxies, or risky devices.

Benefits:

• Stronger protection against bots and fake accounts.
• Reduced account takeover risk when combined with device checks.
• Higher completion rates in markets where SMS is unreliable.

Best practices:

• Keep the script short: “This is your verification code: 123456. Please enter it in the app. If you didn’t request this, ignore this call.”
• Use the player’s preferred language when possible.
• Implement retry rules: a couple of call attempts, then fallback to SMS or email.
• Limit verification calls to new devices, new geos, or high-risk patterns to control cost.

Payment and Recharge Confirmation for Cross-Border Players

Cross-border payment gateways and international payments in online gaming come with higher fraud risk and more disputes. Outbound calls help you confirm that a player really intended a transaction.

Use outbound calls to:

• Confirm large top-ups above a defined threshold.
• Validate unusual spending behavior, like a new country or sudden big increase.
• Double-check suspicious payment methods or mismatched account details.

Benefits:

• Lower chargebacks and refunds.
• Less fraud-related account bans and angry players.
• Higher trust in your store for cross-border players.

Do:

• Set thresholds based on region and player segment.
• Ask simple confirmation questions (“Did you authorize this $100 purchase?”).
• Log call outcomes in your CRM or billing system.

Do not:

Call for every micro-transaction; you will annoy players and waste budget. Ask for sensitive card details like full card numbers or CVV over the phone.

Real-World Example: iGaming Fraud Prevention with Flyfone

Business Challenge:

A mid-size iGaming operator in Europe was losing €180,000/month to payment fraud and chargebacks. Their email/SMS confirmation system had major weaknesses:

• 40% of confirmation emails went to spam
• SMS delivery failed in 15% of high-risk countries
• Players ignored or didn’t see confirmations, leading to unauthorized charges

Flyfone Solution:

The operator integrated Flyfone to call players for high-risk transactions only (defined as: new device, new country, or amount >€200).

Implementation:

1. 1. Day 1: Integrated Flyfone API with payment gateway (3 hours developer time)
   2. Day 2-3: Set up risk scoring rules and multilingual IVR scripts (Italian, English, German)
   3. Day 4-7: Pilot with 500 calls in Italy market
   4. Week 2: Rolled out to all 12 operating countries

Multinational Player Support and Dispute Resolution

Some player issues are too sensitive or complex for email or chat. International outbound calls let your support team handle these cases in a human, high-trust way.

Typical situations:

• Account bans or major penalties.
• Hacked or stolen accounts.
• Double-charges or billing disputes.
• VIP players experiencing service issues or bugs that block gameplay.

Best practices:

• Offer local language support where possible, or at least fluent English.
• Schedule calls in time zones that match peak play hours.
• Train agents to understand gaming culture, common terms, and your core gameplay loops.

A simple workflow:

• Player submits a ticket or triggers a high-priority event.
• CRM flags it as high priority and assigns it to a specialized queue.
• An agent or system initiates a call within a promised timeframe.
• After the call, the agent sends a short recap by email or SMS so the player has written confirmation of any decisions.

Critical Service Notifications and Security Alerts

Most announcements can stay in the app or email, but some events are critical enough to justify a call:

• Regional outages affecting purchases or competitive events.
• Security breaches where account data may be at risk.
• Suspicious access patterns where you need to confirm identity fast.

In these moments, outbound calls can cut through the noise. Many players ignore notifications but answer the phone, especially when you use a familiar local number.

Use calls for:

• Confirming that specific high-value players have updated their passwords or security settings after an incident.
• Alerting key tournament participants about last-minute changes or issues.

Reserve calls only for serious issues. If you overuse calls for minor glitches, players will stop trusting them.

Game Marketing, Promotions, and Live Event Reminders

You can boost major events and promotions with targeted outbound calls, especially for your most valuable and engaged players.

Example use cases:

• Reminding top guild leaders about cross-server tournaments and prize deadlines.
• Notifying top spenders about limited-time sales that match their past purchases.
• Inviting competitive players to eSports qualifiers or regional finals.

Combine channels:

• Use email, push, and SMS for the broad audience.
• Use international outbound calls for gaming only on high-value segments that opted in.

Guidelines:

• Only call players who have explicitly consented to marketing calls.
• Focus on whales, high-spend users, and active community leaders.
• Keep scripts short, clear, and focused on value, not hard selling.
• Always offer an easy way to opt out of future marketing calls.

Retention, VIP Management, and Lapsed-Player Outreach

Retention is where outbound calls can produce outsized impact with a small player group.

For VIP management:

• Personal account managers or support leads can call top spenders to:
  • Ask for feedback on new content or balance.
  • Offer early access to betas or exclusive items.
  • Resolve lingering issues that tickets did not solve.

For lapsed players:

• Use calls only for very high-value lapsed users or community leaders.
• Make the call about listening and understanding, not just pushing an offer.
• Highlight new content or major improvements that address past complaints.

Important safeguards:

• Limit outreach to players with significant past spend or influence.
• Respect clear signals that a player does not want further contact.
• Be transparent: tell them why you are calling and what you will do with their feedback.

Feedback, Complaint Handling, and Surveys

Outbound calls can also be a structured way to collect feedback without spamming surveys everywhere.

Use cases:

• Short post-support or post-resolution feedback calls.
• Automated IVR (interactive voice response) or AI voice bot surveys that ask 2–3 key questions.
• Occasional qualitative calls to representative players before large game changes.

Tips:

• Keep surveys shorter than 2–3 minutes.
• Use them for targeted segments where insights are most valuable.
• Feed results into your CRM and analytics; use them to refine live-ops, monetization, and support flows.

Why Gaming Companies Should Use International Outbound Calls

Higher Trust and Security Than Text-Only Channels

Voice creates a level of trust that plain text cannot match. When a real person or clear voice system explains what is happening with a payment or account, players feel safer.

This is especially true in markets with low trust in online payments. Many players fear scams, stolen cards, or fake charge notifications. A short call to confirm a big in-game purchase can:

• Reassure the player that the transaction is real and controlled.
• Prevent fraud and unauthorized use of payment methods.
• Reduce chargebacks and the need to freeze accounts.

You can combine dynamic verification via OTP with a short confirmation call for high-risk transactions. That mix boosts both security and confidence without drowning players in friction.

Better Engagement and Conversion vs Email/SMS Alone

Email and SMS are cheap and scalable, but they often underperform in key moments:

• Emails go to spam or get ignored.
• SMS may be blocked or delayed in some regions.
• Players mute push notifications from most apps.

Outbound calls give you:

• A higher chance to actually reach the player when it matters.
• A way to explain complex issues in simple words, not links.
• A chance to answer questions on the spot, which increases conversion.

Many teams see noticeable uplifts in verification completion and recharge confirmations after adding targeted outbound calls on top of their existing channels.

Stronger Retention and Lifetime Value

International outbound calls for gaming are not just about fixing problems; they are about protecting and growing lifetime value.

When you identify high LTV players who:

• Reduce their spend.
• Log in less.
• Have unresolved issues.

A well-timed call can be the difference between saving and losing them. The call shows that you care about their experience and are willing to invest time in them.

To control cost and focus impact:

• Use your CRM to segment by spend, engagement, and risk signals.
• Reserve outbound calls for those segments where a saved player is worth the call cost many times over.
• Track LTV uplift and churn reduction for players who receive calls vs those who do not.

Main Options to Set Up International Outbound Calling for Your Game

Cloud Communication Platforms (CPaaS and VoIP Platforms for Gaming)

Cloud communication platforms provide APIs and tools to make international calls at scale without managing carriers or telephony infrastructure yourself.

For gaming companies, modern platforms like Flyfone offer critical advantages:

Deployment Speed:

• Flyfone: Under 1 hour to first live call vs 4-8 weeks with traditional vendors (Genesys, Five9, Talkdesk)
• Deploy payment fraud prevention the day before a game launch, not 2 months in advance

Pricing Model:

• Flyfone: Pay per minute ($0.02-0.20/min depending on destination) vs fixed per-seat costs ($100-250/seat/month)
• Save 40-70% annually for operations with variable call volumes
• No wasted spend on unused seats during off-season

Gaming-Specific Features:

• Event-driven call triggers (API webhooks for big purchases, suspicious logins, VIP churn signals)
• Fraud detection and risk scoring integration
• Multilingual support for global player base
• Real-time analytics tied to game events

Scalability:

• Scale from 10 to 500 agents instantly during a tournament or product launch
• No infrastructure planning or capacity negotiations
• Pay only for actual usage

Integration:

• RESTful APIs integrate with game backends in days
• Pre-built connectors for gaming CRMs (not just generic Salesforce)
• Webhook-based automation for complex workflows

Example: A mobile game studio integrated Flyfone for payment confirmations in 3 days. When they launched in 15 countries, they scaled from 20 to 150 agents in 2 hours to handle verification calls—impossible with traditional vendors requiring 6-week deployments.

For most game studios and gaming BPOs (10-500 agents), cloud platforms like Flyfone are the fastest, most cost-effective path to international outbound calling.

Contact Center Software and BPO Partners

Contact center software gives your agents a full desktop for handling inbound and outbound calls, queues, and scripts. BPO (business process outsourcing) partners provide full teams of agents who handle calls on your behalf.

This is useful when:

• You need multilingual multinational player support.
• You want 24/7 coverage in several time zones.
• You lack in-house headcount for phone support or outbound campaigns.

Pros:

• Quick access to trained agents in key languages and regions.
• Contact center tools usually integrate with CRM, ticketing, and analytics.
• BPOs can ramp up or down depending on seasonal needs.

Cons:

• Higher costs compared to pure self-service cloud platforms.
• Less direct control over each agent’s performance and culture fit if not well managed.

A common pattern:

• Mid to large publishers run a pilot with a BPO in one or two target regions.
• They use contact center software integrated with their game CRM and cloud calling provider.
• If results are strong, they scale to more languages and use cases.

Building Your Own Telephony Stack (and Why It’s Rarely Best)

Building your own telephony stack means setting up in-house phone systems, negotiating directly with carriers, and managing infrastructure and compliance yourself.

That often includes:

• PBX systems (internal phone switchboards).
• Carrier contracts in multiple countries.
• Custom routing logic and monitoring tools.
• Handling international telecommunication laws and regulations.

Challenges:

• High upfront cost and complexity.
• Ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and upgrades.
• Tough compliance, especially across many regions.
• Slower time-to-market when your game needs to move fast.

This option may only make sense for very large, telecom-savvy gaming giants with huge call volumes and in-house infrastructure teams. For almost everyone else, cloud-based solutions are safer and cheaper.

Quick Comparison: Flyfone vs Traditional Enterprise Vendors

Feature	Flyfone	Genesys Cloud CX	Five9	Talkdesk
Pricing Model	Pay-per-minute	Per-seat/user	Per-seat/user	Per-seat/user
Cost for 100 Agents (200 min/agent/month avg)	$6,000/month (2M min × $0.03)	$15,000/month ($150/seat)	$15,900/month ($159/seat)	$11,500/month ($115/seat)
Deployment Time	Under 1 hour	6-8 weeks	4-6 weeks	4-8 weeks
Setup Fee	$0	$25,000+	$15,000+	$20,000+
Contract	None (pay-as-you-go)	Annual	Annual	Annual
Seasonal Scaling	Pay only for usage	Pay for all seats year-round	Pay for all seats year-round	Pay for all seats year-round
AI QA	Included	Add-on ($3k-5k/mo)	Add-on ($5k+/mo)	Add-on
Global Coverage	200+ countries	Strong	Strong	Strong
Best For	Gaming studios 10-500 agents, seasonal volume	Enterprise 500+ agents	Enterprise 250+ agents	Mid-market 100-500 agents

For gaming companies: Flyfone’s usage-based pricing saves 40-70% annually compared to per-seat vendors, especially critical for seasonal operations (esports tournaments, game launches, holiday spikes).

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up International Outbound Calls for Games

Step 1 – Define Goals and Use Cases

Before you pick any tool, be clear on why you want international outbound calls.

Define your main goals:

• Secure account access and verification.
• Protect payments and reduce fraud.
• Improve multinational player support and satisfaction.
• Boost participation in major events and promotions.
• Retain VIPs and high-LTV segments.

Then define:

• Target regions or countries.
• Player segments (new, active, VIP, lapsed, high-risk).
• Success metrics:
  • Verification completion rate.
  • Confirmed recharge rate.
  • Event participation uplift.
  • NPS or satisfaction scores.
  • LTV or ARPU uplift for targeted segments.

For a low-risk start, pick one or two high-impact use cases, such as:

• Account verification in a region with weak SMS delivery.
• VIP support for your top 1–5% spenders.

Step 2 – Choose the Right International Calling Platform

With goals defined, shortlist international outbound call solutions for gaming that match your needs.

Look for:

• Strong global communication services and coverage in your top countries.
• Transparent per-minute and per-destination pricing.
• APIs and SDKs you can plug into your existing backend and CRM.
• Support for both voice and SMS in one platform.
• Omnichannel features if you plan to expand later.
• Clear documentation, sandbox environments, and quick support.

Be cautious if a provider:

• Is vague about compliance with GDPR, TCPA, and local laws.
• Cannot give you clear reporting on call outcomes.
• Hides critical fees or long-term contracts.

Ask vendors for:

• References from other global game developers if possible.
• Test credits or a free trial to validate quality and coverage.

Step 3 – Get Numbers and Configure Caller ID

Players are more likely to answer calls from numbers they recognize or trust. Your provider should help you purchase:

• Local numbers in key markets.
• Toll-free numbers where appropriate for support.

Set up caller ID so that:

• Calls show a consistent local phone number where possible.
• Brand name appears on supported networks if available (branded caller ID / CNAM).

To manage reputation:

• Avoid using one number for high-volume, low-answer campaigns.
• Spread traffic across a small pool of numbers and monitor answer rates.
• Use number reputation tools to see if your numbers get flagged as spam and adjust behavior.

Step 4 – Design Call Flows and Rules

Now design how calls will work from a player’s perspective.

Example flows:

• Verification calls:
  • Trigger: new signup or login from a new device in a high-risk market.
  • Flow: system calls → IVR or AI bot reads OTP → player enters OTP in app → call ends.
• Support escalation calls:
  • Trigger: high-priority ticket (billing, ban, VIP complaint).
  • Flow: agent reviews case → outbound call → resolution and recap via email/SMS.
• Event and promotion reminders:
  • Trigger: VIP marked as unresponsive to previous messages but opted in for calls.
  • Flow: short script explaining the event, time, and reward → optional link sent via SMS afterward.
• VIP outreach:
  • Trigger: drop in spend or engagement for top spenders.
  • Flow: human agent calls, listens, and offers tailored solutions or perks.

Set rules for:

• Time zones and do-not-call hours.
• Maximum attempts per case (for example, two attempts in two days).
• Channel fallback when calls fail (switch to SMS or email).
• Recording and retention policies, respecting privacy laws.

Step 5 – Integrate With Your Game Backend and CRM

Your dev team will handle the technical details, but it helps to know the basic structure.

Typical integration steps:

• Connect your game backend to the provider’s API.
• Define events that trigger calls: new account, failed login, payment above threshold, ticket priority change, tournament registration.
• Pass player phone number, language, and segment in the API request.
• Receive call status and results back via webhooks and store them in your CRM or data warehouse.

On the CRM side:

• Log each call as an interaction with outcome tags (answered, voicemail, no answer, verified, not verified).
• Attach call outcomes to player profiles so live-ops, support, and marketing can see communication history.
• Use the data to adjust segments and rules over time.

Step 6 – Prepare Scripts, Agents, and Languages

Even the best platform fails with bad scripts or poorly trained agents.

For scripts:

• Keep them short, clear, and focused on the purpose of the call.
• Include: who is calling (brand), why, what you need from the player, and how to opt out or ask for more help.
• Avoid jargon and complex sentences.

For languages:

• Start with English plus key local languages in your top markets.
• Use native or near-native speakers for VIP support whenever possible.
• For automated calls, record high-quality audio in those languages.

For training:

• Teach agents the game basics: key modes, currencies, events, and common pain points.
• Train them on tone: friendly, respectful, not pushy.
• Practice handling sensitive topics like fraud, bans, and refunds.

Run small tests:

• A/B test different versions of scripts with small groups.
• Review recordings and player feedback to refine.

Step 7 – Launch, Monitor, and Optimize

Start with a limited pilot:

• One or two regions.
• One or two use cases.
• Clear KPIs defined upfront.

During the pilot:

• Use real-time call monitoring for cross-border gaming.
• Track answer rates by country, number type, and time of day.
• Track business outcomes: verification completion, successful confirmations, event participation uplift.

Optimize based on data:

• Adjust timing to match when players actually answer.
• Experiment with different caller IDs (local vs toll-free).
• Shorten or tweak scripts if players hang up quickly.
• Move call volume away from numbers that start to show lower answer rates.

Once you see consistent positive results, expand to more regions and use cases in controlled phases.

Key Considerations and Risks for International Outbound Calls in Gaming

Regulations, Consent, and Data Privacy

International outbound calls touch player data and are regulated in many markets.

Key points:

• Separate transactional calls (verification, security, account updates) from marketing calls (promotions, offers). Regulations often treat them differently.
• You need valid consent for marketing calls in most regions and must respect do-not-call lists.
• Data privacy laws like GDPR in the EU and TCPA-related rules in the US affect how you store and use phone numbers and call data.

Good practices:

• Capture and store consent and preferences clearly in your CRM.
• Record the purpose of each call (security, support, marketing).
• Provide clear opt-out options (press a key, tell the agent, click a link in follow-up SMS).
• Ensure your provider supports compliance features such as consent flags, suppression lists, and audit logs.

Ignoring compliance can lead to fines, number blocking, and serious brand damage. Your legal and security teams should review plans for key markets.

Player Experience and Brand Perception

Outbound calls can feel helpful or spammy. The difference lies in relevance, timing, and tone.

Risks:

• Too many calls or irrelevant calls lead to frustration.
• Hard-sell marketing calls damage long-term trust.
• Insensitive handling of young players or sensitive topics can backfire.

Guidelines:

• Always explain who you are and why you are calling in the first few seconds.
• Keep calls short and to the point.
• Respect a clear “no” or opt-out immediately.
• Be careful when calling younger players; focus on security and support, not promotions.

Your goal is to enhance global player trust, not squeeze every possible call out of your database.

Caller ID, Spam Flags, and Reputation Management

If carriers or devices label your number as spam, your answer rates will drop fast.

What triggers spam flags:

• High call volume with low answer rates.
• Many short calls or hang-ups.
• Player complaints and spam reports.

Best practices:

• Warm up new numbers with moderate, consistent call volume.
• Register numbers with major carriers where possible.
• Monitor reputation and answer rates and rotate numbers if needed.
• Avoid robocall behavior for non-critical use cases.

Use local phone number masking where permitted to display local numbers, but always pair it with responsible calling practices and relevant calls.

Call Quality, Latency, and Global Coverage

Players will not trust a call that sounds broken or laggy, especially when it is about money or security.

To maintain quality:

• Choose providers with proven routes in your key regions (NA, EU, LATAM, APAC, MENA).
• Test real calls from your main markets regularly.
• Monitor:
  • Call setup time (how long until it rings).
  • Audio clarity and latency.
  • Drop rates.

If you see persistent issues in a region, talk to your provider about improved routing or consider switching providers for that region.

Cost Control for Cross-Border Outbound Calling

International calls are not free, but they can be highly profitable when focused.

Understand your cost structure:

• Per-minute rates vary by country and number type (mobile vs landline).
• Some providers charge connection fees or surcharge premium routes.
• AI voice bots may be priced differently from human-agent calls.

To Control Costs:

• Prioritize calls for high-value or high-risk scenarios.
• Use SMS or email for low-value reminders and general marketing.
• Set monthly budgets and alerts per region and use case.
• Regularly review costs versus results and adjust thresholds or targeting.

Over time, you should be able to show a positive ROI by comparing saved fraud, increased verification, and retention gains against your call spend.

Real Cost Comparison: Gaming Scenarios

Here’s what typical gaming operations actually pay:

Scenario 1: Mid-Size Gaming BPO

• 100 agents year-round
• Average 200 minutes per agent per month
• Total: 240,000 minutes/month

Cost Item	Traditional (Five9)	Flyfone	Annual Savings
Monthly seat fees	$15,900 (100 × $159)	$0	–
Call minutes	Included	$7,200 (240K × $0.03)	–
Setup fee (Year 1)	$15,000	$0	$15,000
Monthly Cost	$15,900	$7,200	$8,700/month
Year 1 Total	$205,800	$86,400	$119,400 (58% savings)

Scenario 2: iGaming Operator (Seasonal)

• 50 agents baseline (9 months)
• 200 agents during major sports events (3 months)
• Baseline: 150 min/agent/month | Peak: 400 min/agent/month

Cost Item	Traditional (Talkdesk)	Flyfone	Annual Savings
Baseline period	$5,750/mo × 9 = $51,750 (50 seats × $115)	$20,250 (50 agents × 150 min × 9 mo × $0.03)	–
Peak period	$23,000/mo × 3 = $69,000 (200 seats × $115)	$72,000 (200 agents × 400 min × 3 mo × $0.03)	–
Setup fee	$20,000	$0	$20,000
Year 1 Total	$140,750	$92,250	$48,500 (34% savings)

Note: Traditional vendors require paying for 200 seats all year even though you only need them 3 months. Flyfone charges only for actual usage.

Scenario 3: Esports Tournament Organizer

• 20 agents daily operations (11 months): 100 min/agent/month
• 150 agents major tournament (1 month): 300 min/agent/month

Cost Item	Traditional (Genesys)	Flyfone	Annual Savings
Daily operations	$3,000/mo × 11 = $33,000 (20 seats × $150)	$6,600 (20 × 100 × 11 × $0.03)	–
Tournament month	$22,500 (150 seats × $150)	$13,500 (150 × 300 × $0.03)	–
Setup fee	$25,000	$0	$25,000
Year 1 Total	$80,500	$20,100	$60,400 (75% savings)

Key Takeaway: Usage-based pricing saves gaming companies $50,000-$120,000 annually compared to per-seat models, with even higher savings for seasonal operations.

How to Choose the Best International Outbound Call Solution for Your Game

Must-Have Capabilities for Global Gaming Companies

When evaluating providers, check for essentials:

• Global coverage that matches your top player countries.
• Reliable international VoIP calling for games with clear quality SLAs.
• Support for both voice and SMS, and possibly chat apps, under one umbrella.
• Developer tooling: APIs, SDKs, webhooks, and well-documented examples for cloud-based gaming infrastructure.
• Detailed analytics and dashboards: call volumes, outcomes, answer rates, and costs by region.
• Simple management for phone numbers, caller IDs, and routing rules.

These are your foundation. Without them, scaling outbound calls for gaming will be painful.

Gaming-Specific Needs to Check For

Generic telecom platforms are not always optimized for games. Look for features tailored to gaming:

• Dynamic player verification flows such as voice OTP and 2FA tied to device or region risk.
• Integration with gaming CRM tools and data models (segments, lifecycle stages, LTV, churn scores).
• Trigger-based campaigns connected to in-game events (tournaments, seasons, live-ops).
• Templates for common gaming use cases: account registration, payment confirmation, event reminders, VIP outreach.

These features reduce integration time and let your live-ops and CRM teams experiment without constant engineering work.

Compliance, Security, and Risk Management

Given the sensitivity of player data, your provider should have strong security and compliance capabilities.

Look for:

• Consent management and do-not-call list features.
• Detailed audit logs of calls, triggers, and user preferences.
• Encryption for data in transit and at rest.
• Role-based access control, SSO, and strong authentication for internal users.
• Tools or integrations for fraud detection and risk assessment around accounts and promotions.

These features support international call compliance and help you mitigate risks like account takeover, promo abuse, and data leaks.

Support, Scalability, and Pricing

Outbound call traffic in games is spiky. New seasons, big events, and launch campaigns can cause sharp peaks.

Your provider should:

• Scale calls up and down quickly when events spike.
• Handle concurrent calls across many countries without quality drops.
• Offer 24/7 support and meaningful SLAs for issue response and resolution.
• Provide dedicated account management for larger volumes or complex setups.

On pricing:

• Demand transparent per-destination rate sheets.
• Ask about volume discounts, committed-use plans, and test credits.
• Make sure you understand any extra charges (recording, AI features, storage).

Run load tests before your largest events so you are not surprised on launch day.

Simple Vendor Evaluation Checklist

Use this quick checklist when comparing options:

• Solid coverage in your top 10 player countries.
• Strong integration options with your game backend and CRM.
• Clear stance and tools for GDPR, TCPA, and local law compliance.
• Real-time reporting and monitoring, plus exportable data.
• Optional AI features: voice bots, transcription, call summaries, if you plan to use them.
• Transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees.
• Flexible contracts that let you start small and scale.

For extra safety, run a 2–4 week pilot with one provider in one or two countries and one or two use cases before signing longer commitments.

Light Automation and AI Voice Bots for Game Outbound Calls

What AI Voice Bots Can Do for Gaming Industries

AI voice bots are automated systems that can speak with players over the phone using natural-sounding voices. Connected to outbound dialing software, they can:

• Deliver verification codes and simple instructions.
• Remind players about tournaments, events, and payment deadlines.
• Collect short surveys after support interactions or big events.
• Answer basic FAQs about login issues, payment options, or event times.

Benefits:

• Take over repetitive, simple calls so human agents can focus on complex cases.
• Work 24/7 across time zones.
• Keep costs predictable for high-volume use cases.

When to Use Bots vs Human Agents
Use AI voice bots for:

• OTP delivery and simple dynamic verification.
• Standard payment confirmations with yes/no responses.
• Short event reminders or basic information.
• Surveys where players only need to pick from a few choices.

Use human agents for:

• Complex billing disputes and chargebacks.
• Account bans, sanctions, and serious complaints.
• VIP management, feedback, and negotiations.
• Sensitive topics like harassment or safety.

A hybrid model works best:

• Let a bot handle the first layer and simple cases.
• Provide a clear option like “Press 0 to talk to a person” for players who need human help.

Advanced AI-Based Conversation Handling (High-Level)

More advanced AI features can analyze calls in real time and after the fact.

Examples:

• Real-time transcription of conversations.
• Sentiment analysis to detect frustration or confusion.
• Suggestions for agents on next best actions or responses.
• Automatic call summaries that update CRM records.

In practice, this helps:

• Train agents and refine scripts based on real data.
• Spot recurring issues earlier.
• Maintain quality at scale when you have many agents or partners.

Start simple with clear use cases, and avoid over-automating sensitive interactions. Use AI as a co-pilot, not a replacement, for your team.

Measuring Success of International Outbound Calls for Games

Core Performance KPIs

To know if your outbound strategy works, track a mix of technical and business KPIs:

Technical and delivery:

• Connection rate by country and number type.
• Answer rate and voicemail rate.
• Average call duration and drop rate.

Business:

• Verification completion rate for calls vs SMS/email only.
• Recharge confirmation rate and reduction in fraud or chargebacks.
• Event or tournament participation uplift among called players.

Player experience:

• Post-call satisfaction scores where collected.
• Complaint rate about calls.
• Opt-out rates from marketing calls.

Do not optimize only for call volume or answer rates. Focus on whether calls are improving security, revenue, and retention in a measurable way.

Optimization Ideas Based on Data

Use your data to make outbound calls smarter over time:

• Timing:
  • Identify when your players in each region are most likely to answer.
  • Align call times with peak play hours and local business hours.
• Segmentation:
  • Combine call data with CRM data (spend, engagement, game preferences).
  • Give more human attention to high-value segments and rely more on bots or SMS for others.
• A/B testing:
  • Compare different scripts, call lengths, and caller IDs.
  • Test different channel mixes (call first vs SMS first vs mixed).
• Continuous improvement:
  • Review a sample of recordings weekly.
  • Gather feedback from agents on what players ask most.
  • Refine rules, thresholds, and routing regularly.

Over time, outbound call scalability becomes less about making more calls and more about making the right calls to the right players.

Common Concerns About International Outbound Calls for Games

Before launching international outbound calls, gaming companies often have these concerns. Here’s how to address them:

We’re Worried About Compliance—Isn’t Calling Players Risky Legally?

Reality: Compliance risk is manageable with the right approach.

Key Distinction:

• Transactional calls (account security, payment verification, support follow-ups) are generally exempted from telemarketing laws like TCPA, GDPR marketing restrictions, and most local regulations
• Marketing/promotional calls (offers, win-back campaigns) require explicit opt-in consent

Best Practices:

1. Separate call types clearly:
   • Transactional: “We’re calling to verify your €500 deposit” = LOW RISK
   • Marketing: “We have a special offer for you” = REQUIRES CONSENT
2. Obtain and track consent:
   • Add checkbox during registration: “I consent to receive promotional calls”
   • Store consent timestamp, method (registration, in-app, verbal), and IP address
   • Let players update preferences anytime in account settings
3. Provide easy opt-out:
   • IVR option: “Press 9 to opt out of future promotional calls”
   • Follow-up SMS: “Reply STOP to opt out”
   • Honor opt-outs within 24-48 hours
4. Use Flyfone compliance tools:
   • Built-in Do Not Call (DNC) list management
   • Automatic suppression of opted-out numbers
   • Time-zone aware calling (never call outside 9am-8pm local time)
   • Call recording for dispute resolution and audit trails
   • Audit logs for regulatory inquiries

Example: iGaming operators in Italy and UK use Flyfone for payment confirmations (transactional) without requiring additional consent, but only call opted-in players for bonus offers (marketing).

Our Players Are Global—How Do We Avoid Looking Like Spam?

The Problem: Unknown international numbers have 20-30% answer rates vs 50-60% for recognized local numbers.

Solutions:

1. Use Local Caller ID:

• Purchase local phone numbers in each target market through Flyfone
• Italy player sees +39 (Italian) number → trusts it
• Brazil player sees +55 (Brazilian) number → answers
• Result: Answer rates increase 30-50%

2. Enable Branded Caller ID (CNAM):

• Where supported (mainly US, some EU countries), display your game name on caller ID
• Example: “Fantasy Quest Support” instead of “+1-555-0123”
• Requires carrier registration but Flyfone assists

3. Warm-Up Strategy:

• Send SMS first: “We’ll call you at 3:15 PM to confirm your $500 purchase for security”
• Player expects call within minutes → answer rate 70%+
• Also reduces spam reports

4. Monitor Answer Rates and Adjust:

• Track answer rates by country in Flyfone dashboard
• If Italy answer rate drops from 60% to 30%, number may be flagged
• Rotate to fresh number or use different routing strategy

5. Test Call Times:

• Align with player peak activity hours (evening in most markets)
• Avoid early mornings, late nights, and lunch hours (12-2pm in Europe)
• A/B test: Call batch 1 at 6pm, batch 2 at 8pm → measure which performs better

Example: Mobile game studio saw 28% answer rate using US toll-free numbers for European players. Switched to local numbers in UK, Germany, France → answer rate jumped to 54%.

We’re Worried About Costs Spiraling Out of Control

Cost Control Strategies:

1. Set Budget Alerts:

• Flyfone dashboard: Set $5,000/month cap, get email alert at 80% ($4,000)
• Set per-country caps if needed (e.g., max $500/month for Brazil calls)

2. Tiered Call Strategy:

• Tier 1 (Low-value players): SMS/email only
• Tier 2 (Mid-value players): SMS + backup call if no response in 24 hours
• Tier 3 (VIP/high-value): Direct call first, human agent support

3. Threshold-Based Triggers:

• Only call for transactions above $200 (small purchases use SMS)
• Only call VIPs who spent $1,000+ lifetime
• Only call players who didn’t respond to 2 previous SMS attempts

4. Track ROI by Use Case:

• Payment fraud prevention: For every $1 spent on calls → save $10-50 in chargebacks
• VIP retention: For every $1 spent on calls → save $100+ in LTV
• Event reminders: For every $1 spent → increase $5-15 in event participation revenue

5. Start Small, Scale Gradually:

• Month 1: Pilot with 1 country, 500 calls, $150 budget
• Month 2: Expand to 3 countries, 2,000 calls, $600 budget (if ROI positive)
• Month 3+: Scale to all markets based on proven ROI

Example: Game studio started with $1,000/month budget for VIP retention calls. Results showed $85,000 in saved churn (85x ROI). Increased budget to $5,000/month, now saving $400,000/month in retention.

Flyfone Cost Advantage:

• Traditional vendors (Five9, Talkdesk): Must pay for 100 seats even if you only make 1,000 calls = $15,900/month wasted
• Flyfone: Pay only for 1,000 calls = $30-200 depending on destinations

How Do We Know Players Will Even Answer International Calls?

Data-Driven Answer Rates by Region:

Region	Average Answer Rate	Best Times to Call (Local)	Notes
North America (US/Canada)	40-55% mobile, 25-35% landline	10am-8pm weekdays, 11am-6pm weekends	Higher for local caller ID
Western Europe (UK/DE/FR/IT/ES)	45-60% mobile	9am-7pm weekdays, avoid 12-2pm lunch	Strong preference for local numbers
Eastern Europe (PL/RO/UA)	40-50% mobile	10am-8pm weekdays, evenings best	Good mobile penetration
LATAM (BR/MX/AR)	35-50% mobile	11am-9pm, especially evenings	WhatsApp often stronger than calls
APAC (CN/JP/KR/SEA)	40-55% mobile	Varies by country, avoid early AM	High mobile usage
MENA (Middle East/North Africa)	30-45% mobile	Avoid Friday prayer times, evenings best	Cultural considerations critical

FAQs About International Outbound Calls for Games

Is Email or SMS Enough, or Do We Really Need International Outbound Calls?

Email and SMS are enough for many non-critical messages like general promotions and minor updates. You really benefit from international outbound calls when the situation is high-risk, high-value, or urgent.

Examples include account security, large or unusual payments, VIP support, and time-critical events. In these moments, voice calls provide higher trust, faster response, and more clarity than text alone.

How Many Call Attempts Should We Make, and at What Times for Global Players?

A practical guideline is 2–3 call attempts per case at most. Space attempts by a few hours and vary times based on the player’s time zone.

Aim for reasonable local hours and peak play times, not early mornings or late nights. If calls fail after a few tries, switch to SMS or email instead of pushing more calls.

Do We Need Local Phone Numbers in Every Country We Target?

You do not need local numbers in every market, but they can help.

Local numbers tend to:

• Increase answer rates.
• Look more trustworthy to players.

Prioritize local numbers for:

• Your top revenue markets.
• Regions with strict regulations or low trust in international numbers.

For smaller or experimental markets, an international number or a few regional numbers may be enough to start.

How Can We Keep International Outbound Call Costs Under Control?

To control cost:

• Reserve calls for high-value and high-risk use cases.
• Use SMS or email for broad, low-value communication.
• Define monthly caps per region and monitor spend in real time.
• Negotiate better rates and discounts as your volume grows.

Keep linking your outbound spend to clear business outcomes so you can justify cost and adjust strategy.

How Do We Avoid Annoying Players or Being Seen as Spammy?

Focus on relevance, consent, and frequency:

• Get clear consent for marketing calls and respect opt-outs immediately.
• Use calls mainly for security, payments, support, and high-value engagement.
• Set strict frequency caps so players are not overwhelmed.
• Keep calls short, transparent, and respectful.

Avoid low-value promotional calls to players who are not engaged or have never spent. That behavior damages trust quickly.

Can Small or Mid-Sized Game Studios Use International Outbound Calling, or Is It Only for Big Publishers?

Thanks to cloud-based outbound solutions, small and mid-sized studios can use international outbound calls for gaming with low upfront cost.

Start small with:

• One provider that offers test credits and pay-as-you-go pricing.
• One key region and one simple use case like verification or VIP support.

You can scale later as you prove value and refine your approach.

How Long Does It Usually Take to Set Up an International Calling Platform for Gaming Customer Support?

Timelines vary by complexity:

• Simple verification-only setup using existing APIs can be done in a few days to a week.
• Full integration with CRM, multiple workflows, and multilingual agents typically takes a few weeks.

Most cloud platforms are fast to connect; internal coordination and script preparation often take longer than the technical setup.

What’s the Simplest Way to Start Testing International Outbound Calls for Our Game?

Keep your first test narrow:

• Choose one country and one use case (for example, confirmation for large recharges or VIP support calls).
• Select one cloud communication provider that offers sandbox or trial credits.
• Define clear KPIs such as verification completion or chargeback reduction.
• Run a 2–4 week pilot, review results weekly, and adjust scripts and timing.

If the pilot shows positive impact, expand gradually to more regions and use cases.

Closing
International outbound calls for games give you something most channels cannot: real-time, high-trust conversations with your most important players across borders.

Used well, they help you:

• Protect accounts and payments with stronger verification and confirmation.
• Build trust and loyalty through better support and VIP care.
• Increase retention and lifetime value in the segments that matter most.

You do not need a complex telecom build-out to start. Pick one or two high-impact use cases, choose a cloud provider, run a focused pilot in one region, and learn fast. From there, you can expand your international communication for gamer engagement in a controlled, data-driven way and turn outbound calls into a core part of your global growth strategy.

FAQs

Is email or SMS enough, or do we really need international outbound calls for games?

Email and SMS are fine for non-urgent updates, promos, and basic notifications. International outbound calls matter when something is high-risk, high-value, or urgent—like account security, big payments, VIP outreach, or serious complaints where real-time confirmation builds trust.

How many call attempts should we make, and at what times for global players?

Limit to 2–3 attempts per case, spaced a few hours apart. Call during local “civil hours” and near typical playtime windows, not early mornings or late nights. After failed attempts, switch to SMS or email instead of endlessly redialing that player.

Do we need local phone numbers in every country we target?

You don’t need local numbers everywhere. Prioritize local or regional numbers for your largest revenue markets, regions with stricter regulations, and countries where unknown international numbers are rarely answered. Start with a few key markets, then expand based on results.

How can we keep international outbound call costs under control?

Focus calls on high-value or high-risk scenarios, like large recharges, VIP players, and critical security events. Use SMS, email, or push for lower-value cases. Set regional budgets, alerts, and per-player frequency caps, and negotiate volume discounts once usage is predictable.

How do we avoid annoying players or being seen as spammy?

Get clear consent, explain the purpose at the start of each call, and keep calls short and relevant. Apply strict frequency caps, provide easy opt-out options, and avoid promotional calls to cold or disengaged players. Respect “no” immediately to protect your game’s brand.

Can small or mid-sized game studios use international outbound calling, or is it only for big publishers?

Cloud-based outbound call solutions make international calling accessible to small and mid-sized studios. You can start with one country and one use case, like verification or VIP support, pay per minute, and scale gradually as you prove ROI instead of committing to huge fixed costs.

How long does it usually take to set up an international calling platform for gaming customer support?

A simple setup for voice verification or basic outbound support can be live in a few days to a week if your team has existing cloud infrastructure. More complex integrations with CRM, multiple countries, and several use cases usually take a few weeks to design, test, and refine.

What’s the simplest way to start testing international outbound calls for our game?

Pick one country, one player segment, and one clear use case—often account verification or VIP outreach. Choose a provider with global coverage and test credits, launch a 2–4 week pilot with defined KPIs, review data weekly, and only then expand to more regions or use cases.

 

Read more:

Outbound Call Centers Types Benefits and Setup Guide

Automatic Call Distribution Software Guide to Boost Efficiency