Creators vs platforms: Who owns the player relationship?

The Creator Revolution: Navigating the Lucrative World of UGC Gaming Platforms at Web Summit Vancouver 2026

At Web Summit Vancouver 2026, Amir Ali of Daily Hive moderated a panel with Brendan Stock, CEO of Chartis, and creator Michael “Birdo” Ha. They discussed the dynamic world of user-generated content (UGC) in gaming, focusing on platforms like Fortnite and Roblox, and the evolving relationship between creators and these digital ecosystems.

Mr. Stock’s company, Chartis, invests in Fortnite creators, helping them professionalize. Mr. Ha, a developer for a top Fortnite map, balances creating videos and fixing game bugs, often working at 3 AM for updates. Both shared their gaming origins, from Nintendo classics to competitive titles, highlighting their deep engagement. Mr. Stock also described Chartis as a “vibes-based company,” prioritizing fun and team alignment.

Mr. Stock likened Fortnite and Roblox to Netflix, noting they are now platforms hosting hundreds of thousands of community-created games. This democratizes game development, enabling successful new content to attract 100,000 players in an hour, a significant shift from traditional game publishing.

Mr. Ha recounted his “I quit” moment from Microsoft. Initially earning $1,000-$5,000 promoting games, he discovered a developer made $400,000 from one of his promotions. After his own game generated four times his Microsoft salary in a month, he left his engineering job, initially surprising his family.

Both speakers stressed that passion is crucial for aspiring creators, warning against burnout as success isn’t guaranteed and requires self-marketing. Mr. Ha’s “24/7 on-call” lifestyle, including 3 AM bug fixes for Fortnite updates, exemplifies the demanding, round-the-clock commitment required by top creators.

Mr. Stock addressed concerns about Fortnite’s popularity, acknowledging a decline but attributing it to post-COVID normalization and Epic’s past mobile ban. With its return to iOS and Google Play, the next nine months are critical for mobile audience regrowth and the potential for new viral content, including a rumored Disney partnership in November. Mr. Ha remains optimistic, trusting Epic’s long-term vision.

Mr. Stock anticipates GTA 6 will draw players, particularly impacting Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode due to audience overlap. However, younger players in Tycoon and simulator games may be less affected. Mr. Ha and other developers are cautiously excited about GTA 6’s UGC potential, awaiting monetization details before committing.

Mr. Stock highlighted a key challenge for new developers: underestimating the UGC space. Many from traditional AAA backgrounds fail to grasp the audience or rapid development cycles. He cited a top 10 Roblox game built in 12 hours, reaching a million concurrent users, as an example of the unique, fast-paced nature of successful UGC.