Here’s the opening speeches from GamesBeat Summit 2026. Thanks for the people who came and listened. Gerard “Hiphop Gamer” helped get the crowd warmed up and in the room for our 19th summit at the Marina del Rey Marriott.
Gina Joseph, CEO of GamesBeat
Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to GamesBeat Summit.
This time last year, GamesBeat took a bold leap into a new chapter — becoming independent, as I stepped into a new role, alongside Dean. It was a move rooted in belief: belief in this industry, belief in community, and belief that media can serve a greater purpose.
One year later, what’s been most humbling is seeing the real impact of this community — partnerships formed, opportunities created, and meaningful connections happening through GamesBeat. That’s what this is all about.
But our vision has always been bigger than providing information. We believe the future of media starts with community — bringing together the leaders shaping what’s next in gaming, technology, business, and culture.
And we’re here to send a very clear message to all business leaders across every industry:
If you haven’t been paying attention to this industry — now is the time.
Because gaming is no longer just influencing the future — it’s helping define it. This industry is fueling innovation across AI, Hollywood, finance, advertising, consumer brands, and beyond. If you want to understand where culture, technology, and business are headed next, you need to be paying attention to what’s happening here.
That’s why this summit matters.
Over the next few days, we’re bringing together leaders not just from gaming, but from industries being transformed by it. From AI to entertainment to finance and media, this is where conversations begin, partnerships form, and the future takes shape.
To everyone here — thank you for your trust, your support, and your passion to build what’s next.
And to the incredible GamesBeat team — thank you for everything you do to move this industry forward, and change the game.
We’re just getting started. And the best is still ahead.
Welcome to GamesBeat Summit.
Dean Takahashi, editorial director of GamesBeat
Welcome to GamesBeat Summit 2026.
Two years ago, I stood on this stage and said the game industry was living through the worst of times and the best of times. Layoffs, wars, political division, loneliness — all of it weighed on us. And yet, even then, games kept billions of people connected, inspired, and sane. The hopeful thinking at the time, which was naive in hindsight, was stay alive until 25.
Last year, I said gaming was like the Force — everywhere, binding our culture together, underestimated by everyone else who thought gaming was still a subculture. In 2025, we saw games influence music, film, TV, fashion, education, and even diplomacy. We saw creators push boundaries in ways that reminded us that this medium is still young, still hungry, still rising.
And then, at Hollywood & Games, I talked about a song — Golden — and how a three‑minute emotional punch from a K‑pop animated film made me think about my daughters, about destiny, and about what it means to seize your moment. I said about all of you in the game industry: You’re already Golden. We have the right people in the room.
Today, in 2026, you’re still standing, and we’re still here for you. The world is still chaotic — but we are waking up to the idea that we can still function as a community amid the chaos, and so it’s still important to hold events like this. We’re no longer as naïve. The layoffs didn’t magically stop. The wars didn’t end. The economic climate didn’t suddenly stabilize. There are still winners and losers in the industry.
Many of you in this room are still rebuilding teams, careers, and confidence. We’re here for you. And despite all of the challenges you face, you’re still here to provide fun and meaning for the world. A small example of that is the Gamers for Choc childrens hospital table here at the event. You might see the Morhaimes there.
The industry, and gamers, are looking to you for leadership. To the leaders of the industry, we count on you to find the way out. Take your shot on goal.
Jobs are shifting to low-cost areas. Yet Los Angeles and California are still the epicenter of gaming because the people and the culture of gaming have been embedded here for generations. You’re in the No. 1 city for gaming and entertainment creativity in the world. This is where you start climbing up the food chain and you can go all the way to the top.
We used to say that testing games was the ground floor for the game industry. Now that testing might be done by AI, and it might be better to head to the basement. There, you could make your own games on Roblox or Fortnite. And if you win there, then you can ride the elevator all the way up.
We appreciate your presence because your feedback keeps our journalism balanced, real and honest. We also realize you are more spread out than you’ve ever been. And so we recognize the need to bring you all together in one place for community. And for some peace. We want this to be the place you have to be.
The industry never stays the same and it’s shifting now. Equity VCs are giving way to project financing or user-acquisition funding. Indie games offer the chance for breakout hits and innovation. Players and developers are telling us they don’t want AI slop, blockchain gimmicks, and predatory monetization. Jobs and funding are materializing overseas in places like Asia and the Middle East. Unions are forming here.
The fads come and go, but you can get players to come back. The battle for their attention has gotten more intense. We have to earn our way to their loyalty and engagement. We’re so glad that over the next day and a half, you’re giving us your attention. We don’t take it for granted, and we have a variety of choices like going to big stage fireside chats to off-the-record roundtables and one-on-one conversations in the hallways.
A year after Gina Joseph and I spun GamesBeat out as an independent media company, we’re going strong. We have more speakers here than we’ve ever had at a GamesBeat event. We have over 160 speakers, and half of them are from diverse backgrounds. There are 62 sessions across ten tracks. Thanks to Alex Lee for recruiting many of the speakers. We’re doing nine sizable events this year and more dinners around the world. We’re covering games, entertainment and technology. Many of you have stepped up to support us in various ways, through sponsorships, signups, attendance and attention. That loyalty has helped us get this far. Your support makes this event possible, yet our dreams are so much bigger. Thank you for your help and we count on you for support in the future.
I’m very excited about the sessions we have to offer, including sessions on ethical games and ethical ways to use AI. We hear so much about AI agents now. But don’t forget you have agency. You can drop your swords and shields at the door here and meet your peers. Come on in and listen. The water is fine. Games are still good, they have much to teach us, and they’re shedding the stereotypes that used to hold them and all of us back. I repeat this like it’s a prayer. They are rising from a subculture and becoming mass culture. They save our lives, and we have more work to do.
I’ve written around 1,300 stories a year in the last couple of decades, with more than 20,000 published stories now at GamesBeat. Every one of them came from people like you in the room, from people who believe that games matter and that they can change the way we see the world. You have agency to change gaming for the better. You’re not here to stand still. You’re here to build the foundation for the next level of gaming achievement that will bring us more things that we never thought were possible.
We’re here to cheer you on, help you correct your course, and bring transparency to the industry. Thank you for being here. And thanks to our great team for putting this event together.