The Game Business Show The state of video games with Matthew Ball – Part One
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Feb 19, 2026 
Matthew Ball, industry analyst and author of 'The State of Video Gaming in 2026', offers sharp analysis of market trends and strategy. He examines the collapse of studio funding and where new ideas are coming from. He debates console vs PC investment, explains Roblox and China’s outsized impact, and explores designing for older players and short-session mobile adaptation.
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Wildlight Funding Became Unfair Focal Point
- Christopher argues Tencent funding of Wildlight isn't surprising given common studio backing.
- He warns the Tencent detail became an unfair stick to beat the Wildlight team amid High Guard backlash.
Big Releases Could Boost 2026 US Market
- Sakana projects US market growth led by Switch 2 and GTA6, which could boost hardware adoption.
- Subscriptions may also contribute, but their industry effects are complex.
Reinvestment In New Games Is Shrinking
- The industry now spends a record share of content investment on external partners rather than internal studio development.
- Overall reinvestment in new game development is the lowest in recent history outside the pandemic.