Thursday, December 11, 2025
Attendee Check-in, Breakfast, Networking
Welcome Remarks
Speaker Sessions on Stages 1&2
Session Schedule TBA
Closing Remarks
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Attendee Check-in, Breakfast, Networking
Location: 2nd Floor Gallery
Stop by the check-in area, pick up your badge, and gear up for a day packed with groundbreaking insights, powerful connections, and game-changing moments.
Welcome
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
Speakers:
- Gerard "HipHopGamer" Williams
- Dean Takahashi, Editorial Director, GamesBeat
Cross-Platform Worldbuilding for Games and Beyond
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
Audiences no longer simply want to watch a story unfold. They want to play, shape, share and become fully immersed in the worlds they love. In this conversation moderated by Justin Berenbaum (SVP of Global Industry Relations at Xsolla), David Baronoff (Co-founder and EVP of Storytelling at Bad Robot Games) and Halley Gross (Writer of The Last of Us Part II and The Last of Us adaptation) explore how cross-disciplinary teams can build universes that feel authentic and thrive across different mediums. They’ll share how games, film, and writing come together to create stories that invite participation, deepen connection, and keep worlds thriving no matter where audiences experience them.
Speakers:
- Justin Berenbaum, SVP Global Industry Relations, Funding GM, Xsolla
- Halley Gross, Writer on The Last of Us Part 2 and The Last of Us Season 2 show
- David Baronoff, Co-founder & EVP of Storytelling, Bad Robot Games
Session Sponsor:
The New Blockbuster Formula: IP Activation, In-Game Engagement & Digital Revenue
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
Studios and brands are increasingly bringing iconic IP into the world’s most-played games to drive engagement, brand affinity, and meaningful new revenue streams. Join Shahar Sorek, CMO of Overwolf, and Marcus Liassides, SVP & Global Head of Digital at Mattel, for a tactical look at how partners like Universal Pictures, Paramount, Warner Bros., Hasbro, and Mattel are activating IP across platforms like Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, and ARK: Survival Ascended. This session explores premium mods, branded interactive experiences, attribution models that tie gameplay to real-world sales, and the rise of “genre-targeting” to reach specific gamer cohorts. Attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of what’s working now, and how to build IP activations that resonate at scale.
Speakers:
- Shahar Sorek, CMO, Overwolf
- Marcus Liassides, SVP of Digital Gaming, Mattel
- Alex Lee; Lead News Writer, GamesBeat
Session Sponsor:
![](https://insiderseries.gamesbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Overwolf-Ads.png")
Inspiring Creativity
Location: Stage 2 (3rd Floor Gallery)
How to come up with ideas on a deadline. Glen Schofield has been on the front lines of creating big ideas for blockbuster games, including Dead Space, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Call of Duty: WWII and the Callisto Protocol. He will talk about the process of coming up with ideas on a deadline, and how he has done so over the years.
Speakers:
- Glen Schofield
The culture crossover in competitive gaming
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
Gaming is more popular than ever, but esports companies are still developing the tools and best practices to make competitive gaming take off as an entertainment and media property, from the celebrity-powered Global Gaming League to the Saudi-Arabian-backed Esports World Cup. In this session, VOID Interactive general manager Chris Stone will join Global Gaming League CEO Clinton Sparks and Esports World Cup Foundation executive producer Ariel Horn for an optimistic discussion about the trajectory of esports in 2026 and beyond — and what their companies are doing to bring more eyeballs to competitive gaming going into the new year.
Speakers:
- Chris Stone, Studio GM, VOID Interactive
- Clinton Sparks, CEO, Global Gaming League
- Ariel Horn, Executive Producer, Esports World Cup Foundation
Session Sponsor:
Video Game IP, Licensing, and the Future of Entertainment
Location: Stage 2 (3rd Floor Gallery)
Video games are redefining how IP is built, scaled and monetized worldwide. Hollywood has discovered games are a goldmine when it comes to crossmedia collaborations with movies, TV, and other entertainment – and a launchpad for fresh fan experiences. But how do you handle the licensing properly? Can you make a deal happen fast? How do you make sure the project is a success? How do you balance creative freedom with the proper guard rails in a deal that benefits both sides? How do unlock more value from IP and tell authentic stories across formats without alienating fans? How do you make game-based narratives resonate with non-gamers and thrive in different markets?
Speakers:
- Yong-Yi Zhu, VP, Head of Strategy, Business Operations and Compliance, Tencent Games Global
- Stefan Makoul, VP of Media Business, Capcom Pictures
- David Hoppe, Founder & Managing Partner, Gamma Law
Session Sponsor:
Coffee Break
Location: 2nd Floor Gallery
Expanding the Universe: A Conversation on Splinter Cell: Deathwatch with Ubisoft Film & Television
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
Join us for an exclusive conversation with Helene Juguet, executive producer from Ubisoft Film & Television, as we dive into the making of Splinter Cell: Deathwatch. Discover how this new series invites new audiences to experience the iconic Splinter Cell universe in a different way, while staying true to the franchise’s core themes of stealth and intrigue. We’ll explore how the show expands on pivotal in-game events, deepens the lore, and remains canon to the beloved game series, bridging the gap between interactive storytelling and cinematic experience.
Speakers:
- Alex Lee, Lead News Writer, GamesBeat
- Helene Juguet, Executive Producer, Ubisoft Film & Television
- Guillaume Dousse, Director of the Splinter Cell series.
Culture, Collabs & Console Drops: How Pop Culture Is Rewriting the Rules of Game Marketing
Location: Stage 2 (3rd Floor Gallery)
The lines between gaming, music, fashion, and pop culture have never been more intertwined. What once existed as separate lanes has converged into a cultural ecosystem where players don’t just play — they participate, wear, listen, stream, and share. Cultural relevance, artist collaborations, and creator influence shape today’s most impactful game marketing strategies. Game studios are partnering with musicians, fashion brands, and voice actors not just to promote their titles but to shape how players experience them. This panel explores how culture‐forward strategy is transforming player engagement and pushing gaming beyond the screen.
Speakers:
- Alyssa Sweetman, Director of Client Services, UberStrategist
- Mia Ginaé Watkins, Program Manager, Riot Games
- Emmanuel "Master" Rodriguez, Team NINJA Studio Community Manager, Koei Tecmo
- Eli Harris, Voice Actor
Balancing Business & Creative Strategy for Licensed IP in Games
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
As Hollywood and gaming collide, it’s important for filmmakers and game developers alike to approach their adaptations in a way that is both profitable and responsible to the core IP. In this panel, Luminate media analyst Kaare Eriksen will speak with Delphi founder Casper Daugaard and AGBO president of interactive technology Pete Wanat — industry leaders who sit at the crossroads of entertainment and gaming — for a comprehensive breakdown of the life cycle of IP-driven game development, from securing rights to navigating funding and production.
Speakers:
- Casper Daugaard, Founder, Delphi
- Pete Wanat, President of Interactive Technology, AGBO
- Kaare Eriksen, Media Analyst, Luminate (former Variety)
How will the rise of AI impact the relationship between Hollywood and games?
Location: Stage 2 (3rd Floor Gallery)
Artificial intelligence is rapidly disrupting all aspects of the entertainment industry in 2025, sparking debates across both Hollywood and the gaming industry about how to best leverage the technology — and about the proper level of caution to use while experimenting with AI. As intellectual properties are translated back and forth between Hollywood and gaming, it’s inevitable that AI will influence the adaptation process, too. In this panel, our moderator, Xsolla chief marketing and growth officer Berkley Egenes, will join Genies CEO Akash Nigam, game dev Glen Schofield and CAA head of video games Derek Douglas for a discussion of the challenges and potential benefits of AI amid the growing romance between Hollywood and games.
Speakers:
- Berkley Egenes, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, Xsolla
- Akash Nigam, CEO, Genies
- Derek Douglas, Head of Video Games, CAA
- Glen Schofield, Director / Game Advisor
Session Sponsor:
The Convergence of Entertainment IP and Gaming
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
The worlds of Hollywood (entertainment) and gaming are converging more than ever before. Games leverage entertainment IP to attract players and scale. Movie studios are drawing on game IP for their next blockbuster. Entertainment IP is becoming playable and experiential through games. This fireside chat explores the transmedia future of entertainment where games and entertainment reinforce each other to reach new audiences and to effectively engage consumers across the customer journey, turning single IP touch points into multi-touchpoint, always-on worlds and universes players and fans can traverse.
Speakers:
- Bastian Bergmann, Co-founder & COO, Solsten
- Kara Bilkiss, SVP of business development, Skydance/Paramount
Capturing the Magic of MONOPOLY GO!: Reimagining a Timeless IP for a New Era of Entertainment
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
In this session, Eric Wood, Senior Vice President of Publishing at Scopely, and Barry Dorf, Vice President of Interactive Global Licensing and Business Development at Hasbro, reveal how their partnership brought MONOPOLY GO! to life—transforming one of the most recognizable brands in entertainment into a global mobile phenomenon. Together, Scopely and Hasbro combined storytelling expertise, design innovation, and deep respect for the MONOPOLY legacy to create an experience that feels both timeless and entirely new. The conversation will explore how this partnership led to reimagined gameplay, vibrant communities, and turned MONOPOLY GO! into a cultural touchstone within the modern entertainment landscape.
Speakers:
- Barry Dorf, VP of Interactive Global Licensing & Business Development, Hasbro
- Eric Wood, SVP of Publishing, Scopely
- Dean Takahashi, Editorial Director, GamesBeat
Session Sponsor:
Episodic Gaming Entertainment: From Lara Croft to the Z-Team
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
Gaming IP is generating some of the most compelling episodic entertainment around. From “Fallout,” “The Last of Us,” “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft,” and “Arcane” to the forthcoming adaptations of “Life is Strange” and “God of War,” television series based on videogames have been some of the most entertainment and successful productions of the past few years. And this year, AdHoc’s brought back appointment gaming with the incredible “Dispatch.” This panel, featuring “Tomb Raider” showrunner Tasha Huo, AdHoc CCO and “Dispatch” writer Pierre Shorette, and Story Kitchen co-founder Dmitri Johnson, and moderated by entertainment lawyer Simon Pulman, will delve into the process of creating great episodic storytelling around gaming IP.
Speakers:
- Dmitri Johnson, Co-founder, Story Kitchen
- Simon Pulman
- Tasha Huo, showrunner
- Pierre Shorette, Co-founder & CCO, AdHoc Studio
Closing Remarks
Location: Stage 1 (2nd Floor, Clive Davis Theater)
Speakers:
- Alex Lee, Lead News Writer, GamesBeat
Thursday, December 12
8:00 AM – 8:50 AM
Attendee Check-in, Breakfast, and Networking
8:50 AM – 9:00 AM
Welcome
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Speaker Sessions
1:00 PM
Closing Remarks & Event Concludes
Session Topics
- Women Leaders in Entertainment
- Cultural Representation in Games and Media
- Career Opportunities at the Intersection of Gaming and Entertainment
- AI’s Long-Term Impact on Entertainment
- The Business of Collaboration: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships
- Cross-Media Collaborations and Adaptations
Event Sponsors
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