MIDDLESBROUGH, UK – The nascent 'Game Republic New Horizons' conference has solidified its structure by announcing the formation of an international advisory board. This group, boasting over 20 figures from across the games and broader creative industries, is tasked with shaping the event's three-day programme, slated for October 14-16, 2026, at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough. The board's composition includes prominent names such as Asher McClennahan, head of games at Kickstarter, Charles Cecil, head of Revolution Software, and Kimberley Turner, co-CEO of Double Eleven.
The establishment of this advisory board signals a deliberate move to lend gravitas and direction to Game Republic New Horizons, aiming to position it as a significant platform for discussing future trends in technology, business, funding, and market opportunities within the games and creative sectors. This initiative underscores a stated ambition for the conference to evolve into an "international flagship games industry conference that takes place in The North." The inclusion of a diverse range of experts, from crowdfunding platforms and established development studios to industry associations and media figures, suggests an effort to cast a wide net in defining the conference's scope and appeal.
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Steering the Narrative: Board Members and Their Pedigree
The advisory council comprises a substantial cohort of industry professionals. Notable members include Gina Jackson of Pitchify, Stefan Lampinen from Game Advisor ltd, Tony Byus of Rainy Frog, and David Lilley, commercial director at Kudos Games. Also present are Elaine Dowman representing the Irish Game Makers Association (and previously cited in connection with Barclays), and Chris Dring, an alumnus of GamesIndustry.biz now associated with The Game Business. The full roster extends to individuals from Radical Forge, Thunkd, ID@Xbox, Behaviour Interactive, Uwu Biz, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Eaton Smith Solicitors, Day Off Interactive, Beyond the Pixels, Pitstop Productions, Hattrick Lab, Transcend Fund, Games London, Middlesbrough Council, Miami Avalon, Business Development, Steamforged Games, Panda Cat Games, and Red Kite Games.
Speaking to the Future: Keynote Engagements and Themes
The conference's forthcoming agenda is already being fleshed out with significant speaker announcements. Asher McClennahan of Kickstarter is slated to discuss crowdfunding best practices for game developers and participate in broader discussions on games funding and investment. His presence, alongside other international speakers like Harinder Sangha from Maverick Games and Harvey Hayman from Hat Trick Lab, highlights the event's aspiration for global reach.
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Further adding to the conference's profile, Axel Torvenius, creative director for the critically acclaimed 'Indiana Jones and The Great Circle', is set to participate in a fireside chat with Luke Hebblethwaite from BAFTA. This session is framed as a reflection on the convergence of film and game narratives, aligning with the conference's overarching theme of exploring future opportunities.
The Foundation: Origins and Ambitions
Game Republic New Horizons is positioned by its organizers as a response to the perceived potential for a major games industry event to anchor itself in the North of England. The 2025 iteration, which reportedly drew attendees from outside the region and overseas, is cited as evidence of this potential. The upcoming 2026 event is scheduled to run from October 14-16, with early-bird ticket sales available until the end of March 2026. The conference is described as a "flagship" event aimed at convening investors, publishers, developers, and stakeholders from across the creative and tech industries.
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