An Interview with Matthew Ball About Gaming and the Fight for Attention

So, here’s something that caught my attention — Matthew Ball recently sat down with Ben Thompson to talk about gaming in 2026, and wow, the landscape is more competitive than ever. It’s not just about making great games anymore; it’s about grabbing attention in a world full of distractions. According to Ball, the fight for users’ eyeballs is intensifying because every platform, from social media to streaming, is vying for the same scarce attention span. He points out that gaming companies now need to think like media giants — they’re competing for moments of focus, not just sales. Ben Thompson highlights that this shift means developers have to innovate not just technically, but also in how they engage players emotionally. The key takeaway? In this crowded space, success hinges on capturing fleeting moments of attention — because if you don’t, someone else will. And get this — Ball suggests that the future might even blur the lines between gaming and other forms of entertainment, making attention even more precious.