The Conversations Shaping What’s Next
The interactive economy is expanding. These are the forces, ideas, and opportunities defining what comes next.
GamesBeat Next brings together the leaders building, funding, and shaping the next generation of interactive experiences. Our 2026 themes reflect what’s driving the market now—
from AI and infrastructure to capital, business models, attention, and culture.
Beyond today’s $200B+ games industry, the next wave of opportunity is being built here.
Themes
AI: The New Engine of Interactive Experiences
How AI, agentic workflows, and emerging production tools are transforming how interactive experiences are created, operated, and scaled.
Capital, Strategy & the Next Category Leaders
Where will the next generation of interactive companies emerge, and how should leaders navigate investment, M&A, growth, and new revenue opportunities?
Technology Infrastructure
The platforms, tools, and infrastructure helping teams build faster, scale smarter, and power the future of interactive experiences.
Business Models of the Interactive Economy
How mobile monetization, live services, subscriptions, digital marketplaces, virtual economies, and user-generated platforms are reshaping business.
The Attention Economy
How gaming, media, creators, advertisers, brands, and technology platforms are competing for—and monetizing—consumer attention.
Technology Meets Culture
As technology accelerates, what should never be automated, optimized, or scaled away? Leaders discuss creativity, craftsmanship, community, and the human side of interactive experiences.