GDC 2026 gave us the chance to show what we’ve been building in a more hands-on way. From introducing Skillz Pro SDK on stage to running live competitions on the Skillz Victory Truck just outside Moscone Center, we brought the full Skillz experience to developers and players throughout the week.

Pro SDK Takes the Stage

At our live session, Gaurav Verma, General Manager of Skillz Platform, joined by Jon Radoff, CEO and Co-Founder of Beamable, and Robert Burnett, Head of New Content at Skillz, introduced Skillz Pro SDK. The next evolution of our platform is designed to give developers more control over how competitive experiences are built, scaled, and monetized.

Powering the Next Generation of Competitive Creators (Presented by Skillz)

Pro SDK brings the competitive layer directly into the game environment. Developers can now design custom lobbies, match flows, progression systems, and player experiences natively within Unity, while Skillz continues to power the infrastructure behind the scenes.

This includes authentication, matchmaking, payments, compliance, and tournament systems. Combined with Beamable’s live-service backend, developers can power virtual economies, LiveOps, and real-time content updates. Pro SDK also supports asset bundle delivery, enabling new content without requiring full app releases.

The focus is simple. Reduce friction, increase flexibility, and unlock new ways for developers to build durable competitive games.

Skillz GDC Brunch

Alongside our GDC session and Victory Truck experience, we hosted an invite-only Skillz GDC Brunch in partnership with RZR (formerly Aarki), Beamable and AppsFlyer.

With over 500 RSVPs and 120+ attendees, the event brought together founders, studio leaders, and partners for candid conversations on where gaming is headed. Topics ranged from shifting retention and monetization trends to new growth channels like CTV, evolving UA strategies, and how AI is being applied across the gaming ecosystem.

We also connected with a large number of developers interested in Pro SDK, sharing early insights and discussing how they can build with the platform. In addition, we highlighted new tools and capabilities across Skillz and Beamable, giving developers a closer look at what should be in their stack today.

Skillz, RZR (formerly Aarki), and AppsFlyer for invite-only Founders and Builders Brunch

The Skillz Victory Truck Experience

While Pro SDK was unveiled inside Moscone Center, we brought competition directly to players outside.

Just steps away from GDC, the Skillz Victory Truck gave players a chance to jump into live competition right on the spot. Attendees, developers, and passersby stepped in to experience real-time Skillz-powered gameplay, competing in head-to-head matches and live tournaments throughout the week. Across the week, we hosted 19 tournaments spanning 12 different games, giving players a wide range of skill-based experiences to jump into.

The goal was to make skill-based gaming tangible. Not just something you hear about on stage, but something you can play, feel, and engage with instantly.

Throughout the week, players stepped up and competed for top spots on the Victory Truck. Here are some of our standout winners:

What Comes Next

Pro SDK is just the beginning. As developers start building with it, we’ll continue expanding the platform with new capabilities across progression systems, monetization, LiveOps, and player engagement. Our focus is on helping developers move faster, iterate in real time, and build scalable skill-based games with greater control.

We’ll be sharing more updates, product insights, and behind-the-scenes moments as Pro SDK continues to roll out.

To learn more, explore Pro SDK and Beamable in detail, and follow along for the latest updates, check out our social channels and developer resources.