MEET THE

The gaming and interactive media industry is experiencing a renaissance of innovation. A remarkable generation of entrepreneurs is building the future of interactive entertainment with unprecedented creativity and vision. Game Changers honors and celebrates the exceptional startups revolutionizing gaming, interactive media, generative AI, 3D technology, and extended reality—demonstrating that transformative breakthroughs emerge from bold thinking and relentless execution

This year’s theme, “Building Through Chaos,” celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives amid change.

2026 CATEGORIES

Generative AI
3D technology & infrastructure
Interactive media platforms
Game studios & UGC
Extended reality (AR & VR)
higgsfield (1)
Generative AI

Higgsfield AI is a video AI company that provides tools for creating high-quality, cinematic videos and images using artificial intelligence. It offers features like text-to-video generation, talking avatars, image editing, and integration with other AI models to simplify visual content creation for social media, commercials, and other projects.

Visit
appcharge
3D technology & infrastructure

Appcharge is a payments company built by people who've spent years inside game studios. As an all-in-one platform, Appcharge provides everything game publishers need to sell direct to players; fully branded web stores, gamified offers, global payments checkout, mobile in-app payments, SDKs, and more.

Visit
giant-3
Interactive media platforms

Giant is the all-in-one entertainment app that brings your child into the story — literally. In seconds, Giant can turn a photo of your kid into a custom cartoon character, starting them on a journey of personalized learning with their very own Giant character.

Visit
seeker
Game studios & UGC

Seeker is a video game studio helping players build lifelong friendships through joyful play. They are making games worthy of earning players' love, games that will warm hearts and challenge minds, and bring people together to forge strong and lasting relationships.

Visit
mira-white
Extended reality (AR & VR)

Mira is building the future of wearable intelligence — technology that feels like a superpower. Imagine putting on a pair of glasses, and you instantly understand any word someone says, instantly calculate large numbers, remember any conversation perfectly, even years ago, always knowing the best thing to say in a meeting, and more.

Visit
higgsfield (1)
Generative AI

Higgsfield AI is a video AI company that provides tools for creating high-quality, cinematic videos and images using artificial intelligence. It offers features like text-to-video generation, talking avatars, image editing, and integration with other AI models to simplify visual content creation for social media, commercials, and other projects.

Visit
appcharge
3D technology & infrastructure

Appcharge is a payments company built by people who've spent years inside game studios. As an all-in-one platform, Appcharge provides everything game publishers need to sell direct to players; fully branded web stores, gamified offers, global payments checkout, mobile in-app payments, SDKs, and more.

Visit
giant-3
Interactive media platforms

Giant is the all-in-one entertainment app that brings your child into the story — literally. In seconds, Giant can turn a photo of your kid into a custom cartoon character, starting them on a journey of personalized learning with their very own Giant character.

Visit
seeker
Game studios & UGC

Seeker is a video game studio helping players build lifelong friendships through joyful play. They are making games worthy of earning players' love, games that will warm hearts and challenge minds, and bring people together to forge strong and lasting relationships.

Visit
mira-white
Extended reality (AR & VR)

Mira is building the future of wearable intelligence — technology that feels like a superpower. Imagine putting on a pair of glasses, and you instantly understand any word someone says, instantly calculate large numbers, remember any conversation perfectly, even years ago, always knowing the best thing to say in a meeting, and more.

Visit
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2026 WINNERS

An exclusive, growing community.

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ahead
Generative AI
animal-company-4
Extended reality (AR & VR)
appcharge-2
3D technology & infrastructure
artificial-agency
Generative AI
astrobeam
Generative AI
brain-jar
Game studios & UGC
cypher
Game studios & UGC
delphi
Game studios & UGC
distinct-possibility
Game studios & UGC
diversion
3D technology & infrastructure
edurino
Interactive media platforms
gamefam
Interactive media platforms
giant-3
Interactive media platforms
higgsfield (1)
Generative AI
little-umbrella
Generative AI
midsummer
Game studios & UGC
mira-white
Extended reality (AR & VR)
neon
Interactive media platforms
nunu-ai
3D technology & infrastructure
odyssey
3D technology & infrastructure
playerunknown
Game studios & UGC
portola
Generative AI
seeker
Game studios & UGC
vinci-games
Extended reality (AR & VR)
Wide-Worlds-3
Interactive media platforms
ahead
Generative AI

Ahead is a personalized pocket coach that provides bite-sized, science-driven tools to boost emotional intelligence. Think of it as a pocket cheerleader towards a better, more fulfilling, clearer-minded way of life.

Visit
animal-company-4
Extended reality (AR & VR)

Animal Company is a free-to-play, multiplayer virtual reality (VR) adventure and survival game. Whether you’re exploring eerie environments, customizing your character in the Lab, or braving the terrors that await you and your friends, the excitement never stops.

Visit
appcharge-2
3D technology & infrastructure

Appcharge is a payments company built by people who've spent years inside game studios. As an all-in-one platform, Appcharge provides everything game publishers need to sell direct to players; fully branded web stores, gamified offers, global payments checkout, mobile in-app payments, SDKs, and more.

Visit
artificial-agency
Generative AI

Artificial Agency is an AI company that is pioneering generative behavior for gaming. Purpose-built for game developers and studios of any size, the company’s groundbreaking AI-powered behavior engine integrates runtime decision-making into game mechanics, delivering an experience that feels truly alive.

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astrobeam
Generative AI

AstroBeam is a VR game studio creating more comfortable, more accessible, and more human ways to hang out and have fun with friends in VR. It leverages natural and highly interactive ways of socializing by focusing on hand tracking and voice communication with both friends and NPCs.

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brain-jar
Game studios & UGC

Brain Jar Games is a global studio of AAA veterans on a mission to create bold and vibrant games that players feel compelled to share. Its debut title, Dead as Disco, aims to blend high-octane action with music-infused choreography.

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cypher
Game studios & UGC

Cypher Games is an indie mobile game studio creating simple, creative, and addictive mobile games, founded by passionate gamers with a dream of building a global success story.

Visit
delphi
Game studios & UGC

Delphi builds AAA games based on the most desirable IP franchises in the world. Delphi has pioneered a proven model to de-risk titles, reduce development costs, and create unprecedented alignment between IP owners, creatives, and developers.

Visit
distinct-possibility
Game studios & UGC

Distinct Possibility Studios is an independent game studio led by MMO and FPS veterans. DPS is pioneering and utilizing the latest advances in game networking, procedural content pipelines, and backend systems to support massive-scale high-fidelity gameplay, building a platform to drive the future of persistent, player-driven multiplayer experiences.

Visit
diversion
3D technology & infrastructure

Diversion is a modern, cloud-based version control system specifically designed for game developers and creative teams. It integrates well with engines like Unreal Engine and Unity, providing features like real-time collaboration and a simplified setup process.

Visit
edurino
Interactive media platforms

Edurino is a hybrid learning app that unlocks diverse learning worlds through tactile figures, helping children playfully develop fundamental and future skills. With Edurino learning worlds, characters, and adventures, children discover the joy of learning – step by step, entirely at their own pace.

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gamefam
Interactive media platforms

Gamefam is the leading metaverse media company for Gen Z and Alpha communities. Established in 2019 as the first professional Roblox developer, Gamefam has now become the largest and most successful metaverse media company, with 35 billion lifetime visits and 11 million average daily visits across its 50+ live-operated game portfolio on Roblox, Fortnite and other platforms.

Visit
giant-3
Interactive media platforms

Giant is the all-in-one entertainment app that brings your child into the story — literally. In seconds, Giant can turn a photo of your kid into a custom cartoon character, starting them on a journey of personalized learning with their very own Giant character.

Visit
higgsfield (1)
Generative AI

Higgsfield AI is a video AI company that provides tools for creating high-quality, cinematic videos and images using artificial intelligence. It offers features like text-to-video generation, talking avatars, image editing, and integration with other AI models to simplify visual content creation for social media, commercials, and other projects.

Visit
little-umbrella
Generative AI

Little Umbrella is the developer of a gaming platform designed to blend familiar game genres with innovative artificial intelligence mechanics for dynamic, personalized gameplay. It offers AI-driven features to enhance engagement and retention, seamless Discord integration, community insights, and cross-promotion, enabling social game developers to help maximize revenue and player growth.

Visit
midsummer
Game studios & UGC

Midsummer Studios is an independent game development company, founded by veteran developers from franchises like Civilization, XCOM, and The Sims. Midsummer is making a next-gen life simulation that lets you write your story and share it with the world.

Visit
mira-white
Extended reality (AR & VR)

Mira is building the future of wearable intelligence — technology that feels like a superpower. Imagine putting on a pair of glasses, and you instantly understand any word someone says, instantly calculate large numbers, remember any conversation perfectly, even years ago, always knowing the best thing to say in a meeting, and more.

Visit
neon
Interactive media platforms

Neon is a global payments and e-commerce platform designed to help game publishers earn more money and independence from app stores. Founded by payments and fintech veterans who are gamers at heart, Neon focuses on product and partnership excellence: we share the playbook, co-pilot decisions, and keep complexity off our customers’ plates.

Visit
nunu-ai
3D technology & infrastructure

nunu.ai is pioneering the frontier of artificial intelligence in gaming with the creation of the first multi-modal AI agents specifically designed to test and play any game.

Visit
odyssey
3D technology & infrastructure

Odyssey is an AI lab pioneering interactive video models — models that dream video you can watch and interact with in real-time. This new form of generative media will power the next generation of gaming, film, education, social media, advertising, training, companionship, simulation, and entirely new applications.

Visit
playerunknown
Game studios & UGC

Playerunknown Productions is an independent development studio focused on creating sandbox worlds on a massive scale. Its team of game developers and researchers are using machine learning and other modern technologies to push the envelope of what is possible with open worlds in gaming.

Visit
portola
Generative AI

Portola is a small team of engineers, researchers, writers, and creatives behind the Tolan app — an AI companion from Planet Portola that helps you feel grounded, confident, and stay connected with the people who matter most.

Visit
seeker
Game studios & UGC

Seeker is a video game studio helping players build lifelong friendships through joyful play. They are making games worthy of earning players' love, games that will warm hearts and challenge minds, and bring people together to forge strong and lasting relationships.

Visit
vinci-games
Extended reality (AR & VR)

Vinci Games is an independent game studio with a fully remote team across the globe, made up of veteran developers, artists, and designers from AAA PC games and animated film industries, focusing on creating immersive AAA-quality multiplayer VR sports games.

Visit
Wide-Worlds-3
Interactive media platforms

Wide Worlds is the first social AI creation platform, empowering people to build new worlds that increase imagination, encourage play, and keep the magic of make believe alive. These worlds are social spaces where people come together to create, tell stories, make memes, and feel safe expressing their weirdest and most wonderful selves.

Visit

2026 WINNERS

Judges Spotlight

Judges

Alain-Tascan-300x300
Alain Tascan President of Games, Netflix Fr. EVP, Epic Games Fr. VP, Ubisoft
Ben-Feder-300x300
Ben Feder Fr. President North America, Tencent Fr. Board Member, Epic Games Fr. CEO, Take-Two Interactive
Chris-Bell
Chris Bell Co-Founder & Creative Director
of Gardens Interactive
Fr. Lead Game Designer, Sky
16 November 2023; Dean Takahashi, Lead Writer, VentureBeat, on ContentMakers Stage during day three of Web Summit 2023 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Web Summit via Sportsfile
Dean Takahashi Editorial Director, GamesBeat
Dylan-Jadeja-300x300
Dylan Jadeja CEO, Riot Games
Frank-Gibeau-300x300
Frank Gibeau CEO, Zynga Board Member, Hasbro Fr. EVP Mobile, Electronic Arts
Hemal-Thaker-300x300
Hemal Thaker Managing Director & Global Head
of Interactive Media,
Goldman Sachs
Humam-Sakhnini-212x300
Humam Sakhnini CEO, Discord Fr. Vice Chairman & CSO
at Activision
Fr. President, King
John-Thompson-300x263
John W. Thompson Venture Partner, Lightspeed Fr. Chairman, Microsoft Fr. CEO, Symantec Fr. Board Member, IBM
Kabir-Ahuja-300x300
Kabir Ahuja Sr, Partner, Co-Lead Media Practice, McKinsey & Co
Kylan-Gibbs-300x300
Kylan Gibbs Co-Founder, CEO, Inworld AI Fr. Product Manager, DeepMind
Laura-Miele-300x300
Laura Miele President, Electronic Arts Board Member, On Running
Maria-Park-300x300
Maria Park CSO of Krafton Fr. CSO, PUBG Fr. Strategy Lead, Riot Games
Mark-Pincus-300x300
Mark Pincus Founder & Chairman, Zynga
Matt-Bromberg
Matt Bromberg President & CEO, Unity Fr. COO, Zynga Fr. SVP, Electronic Arts Fr. CEO, Major League Gaming
Matthew-Ball-300x300
Matthew Ball Industry Analyst
Michal-Nowakowski-300x300
Michał Nowakowski Joint CEO, CD Projekt
Moritz-Baier-Lentz-300x300
Moritz Baier-Lentz Partner & Head of Gaming
and Interactive Media, Lightspeed
Advisor, World Economic Forum Fr. Vice President, Goldman Sachs
riccardo-zacconi-1-300x300
Riccardo Zacconi Co-Founder & Fr. CEO, King
Sarah-Bond-300x300
Sarah Bond President, Xbox Fr. SVP, T-Mobile Fr. Associate Partner,
McKinsey & Co.
Stephen-Lim-300x300
Stephen Lim Co-Founder & CEO, Raid Base Fr. Co-Founder and Head, Valorant Fr. Senior Producer, Blizzard
Steve-Boom
Steve Boom VP, Audio, Twitch & Games, Amazon Fr. SVP, Yahoo
V-Pappas-300x300
V Pappas Fr. COO, TikTok Fr. Advisor, ByteDance Fr. Head Creative Insights, YouTube
Walter-Driver-300x300
Walter Driver Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Scopely

CEOs and C-Level executives from

HACKATHON WINNERS

Hackathon Winners

Congratulations to the Game Changers Vibe Coding Hackathon Winners from earlier this year who are building previously impossible experiences at the intersection of games and AI.

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