PlayerXP is helping companies make smarter product decisions by analyzing real community feedback. Co-founder Chris Weavill shares his story ahead of the Interceltic Business Forum in Lorient.
What do game studios, hospitals, and universities have in common?
They all need to listen better to the people they serve.
That’s where PlayerXP comes in — a platform built by Hertzian, based in Cornwall, that helps organisations understand how users really feel. At the heart of this mission is Christopher Weavill, who started the company with a vision of empowered teams, impactful products, and a more human way to build.
As part of the Interceltic Startup Challenge 2025, Hertzian was chosen to represent Cornwall at the Interceltic Business Forum in Lorient on August 4th. We caught up with Chris to learn about the story behind PlayerXP, the problem they’re solving, and why representing Cornwall matters.
I've always enjoyed working with teams and collaborating with people. Back at university, I was studying to become a Games Producer, and what really drew me in was how game development brings together so many different skill sets and complex production challenges.
There’s nothing better than a small, kick-ass team of talented people who are treated well, enjoy what they do, and are empowered to build great products.
Too many jobs are bogged down by poor management and rigid oversight that kill creativity and motivation. I wanted to build a company where people could actually enjoy their work, operate at the highest level of their field, and create meaningful, impactful products. That was the driving force behind starting the company.
PlayerXP helps companies truly understand what their customers and communities think about their products. We’re solving the problem of traditional feedback and review systems being out of touch — especially in industries like gaming, where critics often act as gatekeepers, but it's the players who ultimately decide what's good.
We’ve all experienced that disconnect — seeing a game or movie rated 6/10 by critics but loving it ourselves. So we built a platform that aggregates and analyzes player feedback at scale, creating a community-driven score that’s a more accurate reflection of real sentiment.
This insight helps game studios, product teams, and even clients outside of games — like universities and hospitals — spot trends, identify issues, and make meaningful improvements based on what people actually say and feel.
Overall, everyone benefits because we help product and service providers improve what they deliver based on real feedback.
More specifically, our solution is valuable to a wide range of users — from C-suite executives who care about public perception and reputation, to production teams who need to make sure they’re delivering the best possible product.
Whether it’s strategic leadership looking at the bigger picture or hands-on teams focused on day-to-day improvements, we give them the insights they need to act with confidence and create experiences that resonate.
For me personally, this means a lot. I've always had a love-hate relationship with my region of Cornwall, largely because I travel frequently and see the level of investment and attention that other regions receive — while Celtic nations are often treated as an afterthought.
Representing Cornwall on this stage is incredibly important. It’s a chance to show the world that Cornwall and businesses based here can absolutely stand toe to toe with global competitors. People are often surprised to learn that Hertzian operates from Cornwall rather than London, and I enjoy challenging those assumptions and biases.
The more we can highlight and promote businesses like mine and many others across the Celtic regions on a global stage, the better chance we have of shifting the brand perception and securing the recognition and investment that these regions truly deserve.
Christopher and the other five winning founders will present their startups on the international stage at the Interceltic Business Forum in Lorient on August 4th. There, they’ll share their visions, forge new partnerships, and showcase the innovation rising from Celtic regions like Cornwall.
🎟️ Join us in Lorient → Register for the Interceltic Business Forum
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