As gaming becomes a creator-driven medium, creators are using short-form video success as a springboard to launch and grow their own game studios.
In 2026, video feeds across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have been inundated with short-form gaming clips, often featuring games on platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft. At the same time, these user-generated content platforms are transforming gaming into a creator medium, offering individual game makers the tools and built-in audience they need to turn their creations into full-fledged businesses.
At GamesBeat Next 2026 in San Francisco on November 3, two creators from the worlds of Fortnite and Minecraft took the stage to share insights about how they had used their short-form video success as a springboard for UGC development businesses — and how their followings have helped them cut through the discovery and user acquisition challenges currently plaguing traditional game studios.
Lachlan “Lachyz” McCurdy has been making short-form video content for years, accruing millions of followers across TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms. In 2022, he co-founded the Fortnite studio YapMaps, which is known for viral games like Tiny Tilted Gun Game and Infinite Late Game. Since then, he and his co-founder have developed over 30 titles with millions of plays, which McCurdy attributed in large part to his ability to promote his creations to his video audience.
“It’s pretty consistent across Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft, where you need a viral factor,” McCurdy said during the 25-minute session.
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