The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Ken Kutaragi, the Sony executive widely known as the “Father of PlayStation”, is the headline guest at Game Republic New Horizons in Middlesbrough. He is due to discuss his career and the future of games with The Game Business journalist Chris Dring during the conference at Riverside Stadium, which runs from 14 to 16 October 2026.
Who is the “Father of PlayStation”?
Kutaragi is the Sony engineer and executive associated with the original PlayStation and its early successors. His work helped turn Sony’s first dedicated games console into a major platform business, making him one of the most influential figures in modern video-game history.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
His Middlesbrough appearance is an interview rather than a consumer product launch. The focus is expected to be his experience in building a global platform, the innovation that shaped his career and the opportunities he sees for the next generation of games and digital entertainment.
“I am absolutely delighted to be part of the show. I am looking forward to sharing my experience and lifetime of innovation and my insights on future opportunities with all the attendees,” Kutaragi said in a statement quoted by Push Square on 31 March 2026.
#1 Best Overall
- Model Number CFI-2000
- Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
- Vertical Stand sold seperately
What is Ken Kutaragi doing in Middlesbrough?
Kutaragi is appearing in conversation with Chris Dring at Game Republic New Horizons. Dring is a journalist at The Game Business, and the format is designed for an industry audience rather than a fan meet-and-greet.
The session places Kutaragi alongside developers, investors, technology companies and creative-sector leaders working across the North East and beyond. His participation gives the conference an international profile while keeping the discussion connected to practical questions about making, financing and sustaining games.
Game Republic New Horizons: dates, location and programme
Game Republic New Horizons takes place at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from 14–16 October 2026. The programme combines conference talks with working sessions intended to connect games development to the wider creative industries.
- Industry talks and panels
- Technical sessions for developers
- Investment meetings
- Project and studio showcases
- Masterclasses
- Business workshops
That mix distinguishes New Horizons from a public-facing games convention centred on entertainment, announcements or playable demos. Its stated purpose is to create contacts and share expertise between studios, investors, suppliers and other creative businesses.
How large is the event?
Invest in Middlesbrough says more than 200 leaders are expected at the 2026 event. The final attendance figure has not been published in the available announcements, so the forecast should not be treated as a confirmed total.
Rank #2
- CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen Zen 8 Cores / 16 Threads at 3.5GHz.GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine.
- 16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity
- Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
- HDR technology, 8K output, 4K TV gaming, Up to 120 fps with 120Hz output, Tempest 3D AudioTech
- What's Included: Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Version; Wireless controller; USB cable, HDMI cable, AC power cord. Nogtox PVT HDMI_cable
| Event information | Reported figure or detail |
|---|---|
| 2026 dates | 14–16 October 2026 |
| Venue | Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough |
| Expected 2026 attendance | More than 200 leaders, according to Invest in Middlesbrough |
| 2025 inaugural attendance | More than 250 developers, according to Game Republic’s 2026 announcement |
Game Republic reported that its inaugural 2025 event attracted over 250 developers from the UK, Europe, the United States and Japan. The comparison is useful context, but the 2025 developer count and the 2026 expectation measure different things: one records developers who attended, while the other describes expected leaders across the broader programme.
Why Teesside is being presented as a games hub
Regional coverage frames New Horizons as evidence of Teesside’s ambition in games and digital creativity. The conference is designed to bring outside investment and international expertise into the area while giving local studios a platform to meet partners and promote their work.
Recommended Free Tools
Reported Teesside and regional participants include Red Kite Games, Double Eleven, Landfall, IO Interactive and Xsolla. Their presence links the event to established development, publishing, technology and support activity rather than presenting it as a standalone conference created in isolation.
Middlesbrough’s location also matters. By holding a business-focused event in the North East, organisers and local partners are making the case that important games work can happen outside the largest established UK clusters. International speakers and the 2025 turnout provide visible signals of that ambition, while the long-term impact will depend on whether meetings lead to investment, jobs, studio growth and repeat participation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the conference means for different audiences
Developers and studios
Technical sessions, masterclasses and showcases offer opportunities to learn from peers, present projects and build relationships with investors or service providers. The practical emphasis may be more valuable to teams seeking production, publishing or business support than to visitors looking only for entertainment.
Rank #3
- 🚀 CPU: 3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
- 🚀 Storage: Custom 825GB SSD
- 🚀 RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- 🚀 GPU: 10.3 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
Investors and business leaders
Investment meetings and workshops create a setting for discussing projects, financing and commercial partnerships. Kutaragi’s appearance adds a platform-building perspective to those conversations, but it does not mean that every project attending will receive funding.
Students and aspiring creators
The event’s speakers and sessions can provide a view of the skills and commercial realities behind game development. Access depends on the conference’s ticketing and showcase arrangements, which should be checked with the organiser because availability and eligibility can change.
Is the North East becoming a gaming hub?
New Horizons supports that case, but it cannot prove it on its own. The region has identifiable studios and technology partners, an organiser reporting international attendance at the 2025 event and a 2026 programme aimed at investment as well as development. Those are meaningful indicators of an expanding ecosystem.
A stronger conclusion will require sustained evidence: more studios forming or scaling, projects reaching market, new investment, skills pipelines and future events returning with growing participation. For now, the conference is best understood as a platform for that growth and a public statement of Teesside’s ambitions, not a final verdict on the region’s status.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
