Day 2 - Wednesday 29th April, 2026

What once defined live service gaming is now being reimagined by changing player behaviors and market forces. This session explores the current state of live service games, the major shifts reshaping the industry, and how studios can adapt their models to stay relevant by:

• Redefining what a live service game is, recognizing where the market is heading, and understanding how the audience demographic is diversifying.
• Treating data as a foundational pillar across both in-game and internal studio strategies, with the overarching goal of enhancing the player experience.
• Outlining strategies that allow you to monetize your game – such as in-game ads, subscription and D2C models – while keeping your players engaged and safe.

Nicole Opas

Vice President and General Manager of Live Operations at NYT Games
The New York Times

See Bio

Alex Pfluger

Associate Director of Data Analytics
Second Dinner

See Bio

Fred White

Global Game Marketing & Publishing Leader
Global Game Marketing & Publishing Leader

See Bio

Guillaume Barry, Development Director at People Can Fly Studios, will explore how studio leadership can better train and support producers who are new to the industry and/or new to the unique demands of live service development. He will unpack why modern production requires relearning core habits, moving beyond over reliance on tools, and embracing true cross team collaboration. Guillaume will also share why producers must be equipped before launch to build a high quality foundation, because no live service roadmap can rescue a game that isn’t solid at day one. Given strategy examples from his own teams and experience, dive into:

• Reframing production fundamentals by teaching new producers to think beyond tools and focus on people, processes, and clarity.
• Strengthening collaboration by building producers’ confidence in navigating cross team communication and shared ownership.
• Prioritizing pre launch quality.

Guillaume Barry

Development Director
People Can Fly Studio

See Bio

Nicole Opas, Vice President and General Manager of Live Operations at NYT Games, shares how The New York Times is scaling its puzzle game portfolio while deepening player engagement across their subscription-based platforms. From handcrafted game design to the integration of new features, Nicole explores how NYT Games balances free-to-play access with premium content and reaches new players by:

• Expanding reach through regional growth strategies and localized player experiences.
• Balancing free and premium content to optimize engagement and subscription value.
• Integrating metagame features to enhance retention and drive monetization.

Nicole Opas

Vice President and General Manager of Live Operations at NYT Games
The New York Times

See Bio

Fred White

Global Game Marketing & Publishing Leader
Global Game Marketing & Publishing Leader

See Bio

Ivan Donik, Monetization Lead at Kabam, brings over nine years of experience in the free-to-play mobile gaming space to this session focused on direct-to-consumer (D2C) live service strategies. He’ll share proven approaches to designing monetization features, optimizing revenue streams, and improving operational tools that drive both player acquisition and profitability by:

• Designing monetization systems that align with player behavior and lifecycle.
• Streamlining live operations to maximize revenue and reduce friction.
• Leveraging D2C strategies to deepen engagement and expand acquisition channels.

Ivan Donik

Monetization Lead
Kabam

See Bio

This session will outline how studios can approached monetization for platforms they’ve never developed for before. Dive into microtransaction strategies, including Gacha systems, and how players across Eastern and Western markets responded positively when they perceived real value in the items offered. This session explores:

• Implementing microtransaction models that resonate with diverse player bases.
• Understanding player perceptions of value to drive positive engagement with Gacha systems.
• Adapting monetization strategies to new platforms while maintaining brand integrity.

• Adapting anti cheat strategies to match the speed and sophistication of modern exploit development.
• Integrating proactive detection and response systems that minimize disruption to legitimate players.
• Strengthening long term security by aligning technical, design, and community teams around shared anti cheat goals.

Strong IP doesn’t stay relevant by accident, it’s nurtured through intentional strategy, creative leadership, and cross-team collaboration. This presentation led by Irena Pereira, the CEO- Creative Director & Founder of Unleashed Games, dives into how studios can assess their creative vision and build shared roadmaps that keep current and legacy IP alive while resonating across platforms and audiences by:

• Assessing IP strengths and weaknesses early to guide long-term creative and business decisions.
• Maintaining consistency and staying true to the core IP.
• Leveraging AI to assist with concept development, but without stifling human creativity.

Irena Pereira

CEO - Founder
Unleashed Games

See Bio

Live service gaming continues to push the industry to its bounds and success requires more than just frequent updates. This panel brings together experts to explore what’s driving sustainable growth, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to future-proof your game from the earliest stages by:

• Assessing risks early in development to avoid costly setbacks post-launch.
• Identifying opportunities to evolve existing titles into engaging live service experiences.
• Understanding why technical resiliency matters and where pitfalls lie.

Max Stewart

Director, Software Engineering - Live and Game Operations
Riot Games

See Bio

Joel White

Vice President of Product
KingsIsle Entertainment

See Bio

Ben Jones

Head of Games
STEALTH

See Bio

Fred White

Global Game Marketing & Publishing Leader
Global Game Marketing & Publishing Leader

See Bio

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon refreshments as you connect with fellow delegates and speakers to reflect on the past two day’s discussions. This 45‑minute closing session offers a final chance on site to exchange perspectives, revisit key insights, and continue conversations sparked throughout the Summit.