Jeff Pabst

Founder & CEO Gamesmiths Ltd

Conference Day 2 – 9th September 2026

11:30 AM Panel Discussion – The Death of “Finished”: Are All Games Live Services Now?

The idea of a game being "finished" is rapidly disappearing. Players increasingly expect ongoing updates, content roadmaps, and long-term support, transforming launch day from a milestone into the beginning of a product's lifecycle. While indie studios have successfully embraced iterative development through Early Access and community-driven feedback, AAA developers face growing pressure to balance blockbuster launches with the agility of live services. This panel examines how evolving player expectations are reshaping development models, what different segments of the industry can learn from one another, and how studios can build sustainable strategies for games that never truly end.

• Navigating shifting player expectations beyond launch.

• Balancing live service demands with sustainable development.

• Learning from indie and AAA post-launch strategies.

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Jeff.

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