GB MAX surpasses thousands of members, emerging as one of the interactive economy’s most influential executive communities

The past year has been one of the most consequential periods the games industry has experienced in recent memory. Artificial intelligence has rapidly become embedded in development pipelines. Hollywood has expanded its investment in interactive entertainment. Studios have navigated restructurings while investors have searched for the next wave of sustainable growth. Across it all, the lines between gaming, technology, and entertainment have continued to blur.

Those changes reinforced something GamesBeat has observed throughout nearly two decades of covering the business of games: while technology shapes industries, relationships often shape what comes next.

One year ago, GamesBeat launched GB MAX to build on that principle. Introduced as a premium executive community, GB MAX was created to complement GamesBeat’s journalism by giving industry leaders a place to continue the conversations that often begin in our reporting and at our events. The initiative was designed to connect founders, CEOs, investors, developers, publishers, creators, and technology leaders helping define the future of the interactive economy through meaningful conversations and long-term relationships.

One year later, the community has grown to thousands of members around the world.

Building connections across the interactive economy

Central to GamesBeat’s growth has been GB MAX, which has become a gathering place for executives across gaming, entertainment, and technology.

The community brings together founders, CEOs, investors, developers, publishers, and senior operators through exclusive events, curated introductions, private discussions, and year-round networking opportunities. Today, GB MAX includes thousands of members worldwide, with more than 90% of its premium membership being C-suite executives.

“As gaming, media, tech, and entertainment continue to converge and evolve, trusted partners and networks become even more critical to staying informed and connected,” said David Wohlreich, chief people officer at Twitch. “I’m proud and privileged to support the work that Gina, Dean, and the GB team are doing. As a gamer, industry HR executive, and member of the community, I’m thrilled to be a part of GB MAX.”

The impact extends well beyond networking. Executives across the industry regularly credit GamesBeat and GB MAX with facilitating introductions that have led to strategic partnerships, investments, acquisitions, and transactions ranging from millions to billions of dollars. By connecting the right people at the right time, GamesBeat has helped foster many of the business relationships shaping the interactive economy.

“GamesBeat has one of the biggest playbooks in the industry,” said Brendan Greene, creator of PUBG and founder of PlayerUnknown Productions. “The company’s ability to convene the people shaping the future of interactive entertainment is unmatched.”

A community shaped by its members

When GB MAX launched, the goal was to create a trusted space where industry leaders could exchange ideas, learn from one another, and build relationships that extend beyond individual events. That mission continues to resonate with members from across the industry.

“As a founding member of GB MAX, I’m excited to help shape a community where ideas, innovation, and impact intersect,” said Susanna Pollack, president of Games for Change. “This new subscription is a powerful platform to connect visionaries across gaming, amplify diverse voices, and accelerate the role of games as a force for positive change.”

Over its first year, GB MAX has expanded through executive dinners, private networking events, GamesBeat Summit experiences, curated introductions, and ongoing conversations that continue long after events conclude.

Looking ahead to the future

“The next generation of business will be built at the intersection of gaming, entertainment, and technology,” said Gina Joseph, CEO of GamesBeat. “GB MAX exists to connect the leaders navigating that transformation. We’re creating a community where executives can share insights, build relationships, and discover opportunities that will define the future of the interactive economy.”

As GB MAX enters its second year, GamesBeat plans to continue expanding the community through executive events, curated introductions, and opportunities for leaders across the interactive economy to connect throughout the year.

For GB MAX Premium members, that connection extends to GamesBeat Next, taking place November 2–3 in San Francisco. Premium members receive a VIP pass to the event, bringing the community together with the leaders shaping what comes next across gaming, entertainment, and technology.

GB MAX Insider and Premium members also get exclusive access to GamesBeat’s biggest conversations. Sign up for GB MAX to get VOD access to Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick and former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimé’s exclusive talks from the GamesBeat Insider Series: Brands & Games, featuring two of gaming’s most influential leaders.