Following the success of Game Republic New Horizons in 2025 which brought over 250 developers, studio leaders and creative industries to the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough for talks including MachineGames Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Supercell, Kickstarter and TV comedian and star contestant of Taskmaster Maisie Adam, organisers are promising the event is set to be even bigger and better in 2026 thanks to insights from its new international advisory board.
MD of Game Republic Jamie Sefton said “What we saw at the GR New Horizons conference last year was the clear potential for the event to be an international flagship games industry conference that takes place in The North. Over a third of attendees were from outside the region coming from London, the South-East and overseas, and feedback indicated 89% had secured new contacts and that 28% securing a new project or deal at the event with over 100 meetings on MeetToMatch. People were so positive about the event and wanted it to continue and grow – so we’re delighted to be working on the 2026 New Horizons!”.”
The Game Republic team have brought together an advisory board reflecting the vision for creating an internationally-recognised conference. Advisory board members include Stefan Lampinen (Game Advisor Ltd in Sweden), Tony Byus (Rainy Frog publisher in Japan), Asher McClennahan (Kickstarter from the USA), Elaine Dowman (IMIRT – the Irish Game Makers Association) David Lilley (Kudos Games), Gina Jackson OBE (Pitchify), Simon Iwaniszak (Red Kite Games) Des Gayle (Day Off Interactive), Kimberley Turner (Double Eleven), Charles Cecil (Revolution), HaZ Dulull (Beyond The Pixel), Bob Makin (Behaviour), Alison Lacy (Radical Forge), Callum Underwood (Uwu Biz), Michael French MBE (Games London), Andrew Crawshaw (Thunkd), John Sanderson (Pitstop Productions), Ron Ashtiani (Last Arrow Games), Nina Cliff (Business Development) and Chris Taylor (Eaton Smith Solicitors), Chris Dring (The Game Business), Ben Robinson (ID@Xbox), Olly Bennett (Cardboard Sword), Sarah York (Panda Cat Games), Luke Mills (Dink) and Nareice Wint (Miami Avalon) as well as local representatives Charlie Kemp (Tees Valley Combined Authority) and Michelle Shelton (Middlesbrough Council).
Jamie adds “The meetings have been incredible for helping us to shape this year’s now 3 day programme – but the focus remains on the future for tech, business, funding, markets and opportunities for games and creative industry leaders.”
The Game Republic are promising a legendary line-up of speakers, the best after party in the games industry and some new exciting additions including a curated indie showcase, masterclasses and an Investor Zone in partnership with GamesLondon. The team also promise some new experiences that will be revealed soon. Early Bird tickets at £149 are available now until the end of April 2026.
Whilst content and ideas have come from the Advisory Board, Jamie said much of the influence for the event design has come from his business partner Dr Jackie Mulligan who has used her research in creativity and event design to shape a 3 day conference experience to inspire, generate new ideas and connections.
First sponsors to come on board include Kudos Games, Plus Accounting, Escape Technology and Behaviour. The event is also supported by Tees Valley Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Council. The event will form a key part of the 2026 event programme supported by Official Partners Red Kite Games, Xsolla and Double Eleven.
