Game Changers returned in June 2024 with Lightspeed, GamesBeat and Nasdaq named as partners, opening nominations for its 2025 list of game and interactive-media startups. That call closed on September 15, 2024; the program has since announced later editions, including its 2026 cohort.
What Game Changers recognizes
Game Changers is a startup recognition program focused on companies working in games and interactive media, not a consumer game launch. It began with an inaugural 2024 list announced in October 2023, then returned for a second annual cycle in 2024. The program has described benefits such as GamesBeat coverage, community access and one-to-one mentoring. The 2024 return announcement said participation was free and did not require giving up equity. GamesBeat’s June 2024 announcement
Is the 2024 nomination call still open?
No. The June 12, 2024 announcement opened nominations for the 2025 list and set a September 15, 2024 deadline. It also planned a Game Changers reception around GamesBeat Summit on October 29, 2024. Those dates belong to that cycle, not to a current application window. For future dates, check the official Lightspeed Game Changers page.
How entries were selected
The 2024 return announcement
For the cycle announced in June 2024, Lightspeed partners and GamesBeat editors said they would narrow entries to 100. Judges would then score finalists from 1 to 5 on innovation and their potential to adapt and excel. These were the published plans for that edition. GamesBeat, June 12, 2024
#1 Best Overall
- "Startups" is the updated version of an older Oink Game which came out in 2015 and won the second prize at Game Market Tokyo: "Rights". We upgraded the rules, the design and it is even possible to play with more players now!
- Every player takes the role of an investor and needs to try to invest in at least one of six startup companies to get the biggest shares. Only the player with the most cards of one company can get money in the end, which is why you need to carefully watch the moves of your rival players and thus become the top investor.
- To make the original game even more interesting, we added "the market", the "Anti-Monopoly-Chip" and more. The rules are still as simple as they were, but if you have played "Rights" before you should notice a new depth to it.
- The logos of the six startup companies were designed by Kentaro "ANI" Fujimoto who is a famous typographer in Japan. We recommend talking about the different logos and about what kind of company stands behind it - it's fun!
Results for the 2025 list
In its October 2024 results report, GamesBeat said the program had received almost 40% more entries than the prior year. Editors and investors narrowed the submissions to 75, and judges selected 25 final honorees. The report listed eligibility limits of no more than five years in business and no more than 50 full-time employees; these are published criteria for that edition, not established permanent rules. GamesBeat’s 2025 results
The 2026 list
For the cycle branded Game Changers 2026, announced in August 2025, GamesBeat described editors and investors narrowing entries to 75 and judges scoring finalists from 1 to 5. Its November 2025 results report named 25 winners. These are program-reported selection figures, not independent measures of the wider startup market. GamesBeat’s 2026 results
Rank #2
- VINTAGE TECH MEETS FRIENDLY COMPETITION: You're all racing to build a computer. Assemble illustrated hardware tiles — CPU, RAM, video card and more, like a jigsaw puzzle that changes every time you play. Be the first to install your software tile and win!
- SCAVENGE, STEAL AND SABOTAGE: Buy and sell as junkyard prices shift with supply and demand, steal parts before rivals lock them down, and attach pesky computer bugs to slow their build. Nobody's computer is safe until the software is installed.
- NO PRIOR COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED: Novices and tech whizzes can compete together. Easy to learn with real strategy underneath. Smart play makes you the favorite, but the dice keep every player in the hunt to the last roll.
- PREMIUM ILLUSTRATED COMPONENTS: Over 100 richly illustrated puzzle-fit hardware tiles, 4 chassis boards, JunkBucks coins, a 10-sided die, and a 2-minute timer — every illustration original artwork by the creator's daughter, in a family-designed game brought to life by 2,800+ Kickstarter backers. A standout gift for gamers and tech lovers alike.
- MADE FOR GAME NIGHT: Whether you grew up building PCs or have never opened one, the race to boot up first gets everyone leaning in — fast rounds, table talk, friendly sabotage. No screens, no downloads: just pull up chairs and play.
Categories change from year to year
The list’s scope has shifted as the program has evolved. A category in one edition should not be assumed to apply unchanged to another.
| Edition | Published category areas | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 list, announced in 2024 | 3D technology and infrastructure; generative AI and agents; game studios and UGC; interactive media platforms; extended reality (AR and VR) | GamesBeat |
| 2026 list | Generative AI; 3D technology and infrastructure; interactive media platforms; game studios and UGC; extended reality (AR and VR) | Lightspeed program page |
The June 2024 call described five areas for the coming 2025 list: game studios; gaming platforms such as user-generated content and social; interactive technology including AI and 3D; extended reality (AR/VR/MR); and blockchain/Web3. The inaugural account used similar categories. 2024 return announcement Inaugural list report
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Rank #3
- DESIGNED BY SCOTT ALMES: Created by the renowned designer of the Tiny Epic series, Starfall offers a clever and compact strategy experience. It combines accessible rules with deep tactical decisions, perfect for strategy gamers and hobbyists.
- UNIQUE "FALLING STAR" MARKET: Features a dynamic "Dutch Auction" mechanism. Night Sky Cards are placed on the board and their cost decreases as they are moved down the track. Players must decide: buy now at a high price, or wait for the price to drop and risk an opponent snatching it first.
- TIGHT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: You start with a limited supply of Star Tokens (Currency), and you cannot gain more during the game. Managing your budget is critical; spending too much early on leaves you helpless in the endgame while rivals buy cheap stars.
- COMPLEX SCORING STRATEGIES: Build your portfolio of celestial bodies. Collect sets of colorful Nebulae, pair Moons with Planets, stack Comets for exponential points, and manage Black Holes—which are penalties alone (-5) but massive bonuses (+15) if you collect enough!
- BEAUTIFUL COMPONENTS: Includes a game board, high-quality Night Sky Cards, and 48 Star Tokens (White & Yellow). Suitable for 2-4 players with a playtime of approx. 30-45 minutes. A great filler game for game nights.
How the program developed
- October 25, 2023: GamesBeat announced the inaugural 2024 list, reporting 25 selected companies, 15 industry judges and five categories. The account also described limits of five years in business and 50 full-time employees. GamesBeat’s inaugural list report
- June 12, 2024: GamesBeat announced the return, opened nominations for the 2025 list and gave a September 15 deadline. The announcement’s theme was “A celebration of resilience and adaptation.” GamesBeat’s return announcement
- October 29, 2024: GamesBeat reported the 2025 honorees and the edition’s selection figures. GamesBeat’s results report
- August 12, 2025: GamesBeat announced the third annual cycle, labeled Game Changers 2026, with “building through chaos” as its theme. GamesBeat’s 2026 announcement
- November 19, 2025: GamesBeat reported the 2026 top 25; the official Lightspeed page presents that edition’s categories and winners. GamesBeat’s results report Lightspeed program page
Who can nominate a startup?
The 2024 announcement invited readers to apply or nominate a startup, but the cited material does not establish a permanent nomination process or current eligibility rules. Since published criteria and category definitions are edition-specific, prospective applicants should use the official program page for the active cycle’s instructions and dates.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- RACE AGAINST DESTRUCTION: Lead a squad of robot-workers to repair the sabotaged dream factory before it's too late.
- STRATEGIC ROBOT CARDS: Utilize Robot cards wisely to complete repairs and unleash powerful abilities.
- EVOLVING CHALLENGES: Machines become increasingly difficult to repair, but you can enhance your Robots' abilities as you progress.
- ONIVERSE SERIES: The seventh installment in the popular Oniverse series of solo/2-player cooperative games.
- EXPANDABLE FUN: Enjoy high replayability with five included expansions, short rules, deep gameplay, and adjustable difficulty levels.
Rank #4
- Package Dimensions: 5.207 cms (L) x 32.791 cms (W) x 32.994 cms (H)
- Product Type: Tabletop Game
- Package Quantity: 1
- Country Of Origin: China
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