Recommended Free Tools
Game Republic New Horizons 2026 is scheduled for 14–16 October at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough. The published programme combines a VIP reception, a conference and expo, MeetToMatch business meetings, an Investor Zone run with Games London, technology deep dives, specialist masterclasses, an Indie Stars showcase, a Funding Forum, parties and a choice of themed “Summats” on the final day. The official programme can change, and the 16 October event is only partly disclosed in the current calendar.
Schedule at a glance
The official calendar currently divides the event into three distinct days. Treat the entries below as the confirmed framework rather than a fixed running order: the programme itself warns that timings, sessions and other details are subject to change.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Date | Published programme | How to use the day |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 14 October 2026 | VIP Reception | Arrive for early relationship-building, introductions and informal conversations before the main conference. |
| Thursday 15 October 2026 | Conference and expo; IndieStars; after-party | This is the main content and business day, with talks, meetings, exhibitors, the showcase and evening social events. |
| Friday 16 October 2026 | Game Republic event to be revealed; “Summat” choices | Reserve flexibility. The announced format offers Sea Summat, Create Summat or Play Summat, while the headline event has not been fully disclosed. |
What the programme is designed to deliver
Talks and fireside conversations
Game Republic is positioning New Horizons around talks from studio leaders, developers, investors and other games-industry guests. The mix is intended to cover production, business strategy, technology, publishing and the wider market rather than one narrow discipline. A GamesIndustry.biz description of the event praised “the varied talks on offer” and specifically cited fireside discussions about transmedia and the importance of international markets such as China.
Technology deep dives
The Tech Deep Dives are the part of the programme for attendees who need more than a headline keynote. They sit alongside the expo and are intended to examine tools, production approaches and technical questions in greater detail. Check the final session list before choosing between a deep dive and a meeting, because the published schedule may move.
#1 Best Overall
- Michigan Artists & Printers - this design was drawn and printed with pride by our skilled illustrators and printers in Ann Arbor. If you're ever in the area, stop by for a free tour and see how we make your apparel!
- UNISEX Modern Fit Sizing - this shirt is slightly tapered to be a little less boxy than the old style of mass-market t-shirt. Nothing drastic, and most people wear the same size in our shirts as they do in all of their others, but you might go one size larger if you're on the fence. It is pre-shrunk, but like any high-cotton product, will still shrink slightly in the wash. Our model photos are the real thing - the actual shirt on our salesguy, Rich. He's 6' 2", 200 lbs and wearing a large
- Soft Fabrics - This shirt is a ringspun, 30/1 fine jersey knit on 90% USA-grown cotton (10% polyester for the two-tone effect). If you don't speak t-shirt geek, that means they are soft and smooth with a high thread-count, tight knit made out of fuzzy plants grown by American farmers. These are mid-weight shirts - a bit lighter than your mass-market, thick gym class t-shirts, but substantial / not see-through. It's a nice balance between comfort and durability
- Tearaway Tags - Our shirts feature an easy-tear tag that will come out without damaging the stitching, if you would prefer to not have a tag in your shirt
- VIDEO GAME HUMOR | Sure to get a big laugh from any video gamer - kids, teens, and adults alike
Masterclasses for studio operations
Masterclasses cover HR, legal, finance, marketing and PR. These sessions are particularly useful for founders and small teams that need practical guidance outside day-to-day development. They also provide a way to compare advice from specialist providers with the conversations you have in the expo and Investor Zone.
Expo, Play Stack and meeting spaces
The expo is the discovery floor for organisations supporting games businesses, while Play Stack adds a hands-on element. The venue guide also lists the Legends Lounge, LoFi Zone, LevelX Meeting Area, Rockcliffe Room, Archery Room and meeting points at reception. Those named areas matter when you are trying to fit a scheduled meeting between sessions: allow time to move between the conference rooms, the expo and the reception meeting points.
Funding Forum and Investor Zone
Funding has a dedicated track rather than being an incidental networking theme. The Funding Forum sits beside an Investor Zone run with Games London, where attendees can arrange formal meetings through MeetToMatch and hear sessions about angel investment, public funding and bringing games to Xbox.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchHow to plan each day
14 October: use the VIP Reception as a warm start
The first evening is the VIP Reception. It is not presented as a full conference day, so use it to establish who you need to meet on Thursday, introduce yourself to regional and support organisations, and make any early contacts that can lead to a scheduled meeting. Bring a concise description of your project or company; the reception is most valuable when a conversation can continue at the expo, Investor Zone or through MeetToMatch.
Rank #2
- Pull On Closure
- Made in the USA or Imported
- 100% Cotton
- Machine Wash
15 October: concentrate your high-value appointments
Thursday carries the conference, expo, IndieStars showcase and after-party. Put non-movable business meetings into the MeetToMatch calendar first, then select talks, masterclasses and Tech Deep Dives around them. The expo and showcase are easier to browse in gaps between appointments, while the after-party gives you a less formal setting for conversations that started during the day.
16 October: choose a “Summat”, but keep plans flexible
The final day currently offers three formats:
- Sea Summat: relaxation, food and coastal atmosphere.
- Create Summat: art, making and workshops.
- Play Summat: arcades, board games and consoles.
The calendar labels the wider 16 October Game Republic event as still to be revealed. Do not book onward travel around an assumed timetable until the organisers publish the final details.
Who is exhibiting in 2026?
The current official Expo list contains nine organisations. Their presence covers recruitment, regional development, technology, professional services, funding and creative-industry support.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Exhibitor | Relevant focus |
|---|---|
| Get In Agency | Recruitment and agency support |
| Tees Valley Combined Authority | Regional development |
| Virtuware | Technology |
| Eaton Smith Solicitors | Legal advice |
| Innovate UK Business Connect | Innovation and funding connections |
| Plus Accounting | Accounting |
| Invest in Middlesbrough | Investment promotion |
| Johnston Carmichael | Accounting and business advice |
| Animex | Creative-industry support |
The homepage also identifies sponsors and partners including Unity, Keywords Studios, Xsolla, Red Kite Games, Double Eleven, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Steel City Interactive, Plus Accounting, Wired2Fire, Middlesbrough Council, Behaviour, Silver Lining Interactive and Escape Technology. A sponsor or partner listing is not the same as the official Expo list, so use the Expo table when you are deciding whom to visit on the exhibition floor.
Rank #3
- Retro Gamer Gift: This Cool Video Game Controller Retro Vintage Design Is The Perfect Gift For Men, Women, And Kids. Ideal For Nerds, Geeks, And Game Lovers
- Video Game Evolution Shirt, Videogame T Shirt, Classic Gaming, 90s Gaming T-shirt, Gamer Husband Gift, Gift For Gamer Dad, Mens Gamer Shirt, Womens Gaming Tee, Gamer Girl Shirt, 80s Gamer Tshirt, Vintage Game Tshirt, 16 Bit Video Game, Retro Game Lover
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Speakers worth prioritising
The speaker page lists a broad group of confirmed guests. Your best choices depend on the question you need answered, but these clusters make the long list easier to navigate.
Platform, studio and production leadership
- Ken Kutaragi, described as “The Father of PlayStation”
- Hakan Abrak of IO Interactive
- Rebecca Lautner of Landfall
- Robbert Groenendijk of Housemarque
- Mike Bithell of Bithell Games
- Ash Habib of Steel City Interactive
- Yiyu Jiang of Boltray Games/G-bits
- Jon Ingold of Inkle
Business, media and audience insight
- Chris Dring of The Game Business
- Jane Douglas of BAFTA and Outside Xbox
- Chris van der Kuyl CBE and Joseph Garrett of 4J Studios
- Michael French MBE of Games London
- Dr Tommy Thompson of AI and Games
Funding, platforms and public support
- Ben Robinson of ID@Xbox
- Teddy Keefe of Tencent Games
- Nick Button-Brown of The Games Angels
- Emma Cooper of Innovate UK
- Danwen Huang of Games London
- Lara Devitt of Arts Council England
- Chris Filip of BFI
- Aurélie Gérault of Behaviour Interactive
Because the programme can change, use the official speaker page and the final timetable to confirm appearances before you build a day around one session.
How networking works
MeetToMatch is the structured route
MeetToMatch access is advertised as free and is designed for scheduled business meetings with people who can make a difference to a company. The practical workflow is straightforward:
- Define your objective. Decide whether you need funding, a platform conversation, recruitment help, regional support, a service provider or a publishing and production contact.
- Prepare a short profile. State what you are making, its stage, what you are seeking and what you can offer. A specific request is easier for a potential contact to assess than a general “let’s connect”.
- Use the meeting system before arriving. Request conversations with relevant delegates and protect enough time to move between the LevelX Meeting Area, reception points and conference rooms.
- Bring a meeting-ready explanation. Have a concise pitch, a current build or trailer if appropriate, and clear next steps. Keep detailed materials available for a follow-up rather than turning every first meeting into a full presentation.
- Follow up while the context is fresh. Note what each person agreed to do and connect the conversation to the next relevant session, expo stand or Investor Zone appointment.
Informal networking fills the gaps
Not every useful contact will be booked in advance. The expo, Investor Zone, parties, Legends Lounge, LoFi Zone and reception meeting points all create unstructured opportunities. The social programme includes food, drink, arcades, go-karting and pool tournaments, so conversations can continue after the formal sessions without requiring another conference room.
Rank #4
- Perfect for gamers who love cats and video games, this funny shirt features a hilarious gamer cat design that appeals to boys, teens, men, and women who enjoy gaming culture.
- Great gift idea for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion for the video game enthusiast in your life who appreciates funny graphic tees and humorous gaming apparel.
The previous event provides context, not a promise for 2026: Game Republic’s report on the 2025 event said more than 250 developers attended, 89% secured new contacts, 28% secured a new project or deal, and more than 100 meetings were requested through MeetToMatch.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is in the Investor Zone?
The Investor Zone is being delivered with Games London and is aimed at studios looking for capital, public funding or platform and investment guidance. Its announcement says attendees can arrange formal meetings through MeetToMatch and network with more than 300 delegates at the 2026 event.
Confirmed funding, platform or investment participants named for the zone are Tencent Games, Xbox, The Games Angels, BFI and Xsolla. Planned content includes:
- A Tencent fireside chat.
- “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment”.
- Public-funder sessions with BFI and Innovate UK.
- A session on bringing games to Xbox.
Jamie Sefton, Game Republic’s managing director, said the organisers were “assembling the best collection of investors and funders” with Games London. He also described finance as “front and centre for studios” and said bringing investors and funders together was vital to securing future projects. Treat those remarks as the event’s stated aim: a meeting is an opportunity to test fit, not a guarantee of funding.
Best Value
- DESIGNED AND PRINTED IN THE USA - Proudly crafted with durable, commercial-grade prints and vibrant inks at our Ann Arbor, Michigan facility to ensure long-lasting quality.
- PREMIUM EVERYDAY COMFORT - Made from a soft, ringspun cotton blend featuring convenient tearaway tags in the collars to completely eliminate frustrating neck itchiness.
- FLATTERING MODERN FIT - Designed as a unisex modern fit with men's sizing in mind, offering a cut that is slightly tighter in the arms and chest to highlight your build while leaving comfortable slack in the belly.
- PERFECT MANGA FAN GIFT - An ideal birthday present or holiday surprise for the husband, boyfriend, or brother who loves binge-watching animated series and collecting graphic novels.
- CASUAL CONVENTION OUTFIT - The ultimate wardrobe choice for attending local pop culture conventions, navigating crowded gaming tournaments, or just lounging on the couch for a weekend gaming marathon.
Indie Stars and the discovery programme
The Indie Stars Showcase is reserved for unpublished games selected by games media. The 2026 call advertises ten available spots. For developers, selection offers a way to place an unreleased project in front of media and industry visitors; for attendees, it is a compact route to discovering work that has not yet reached publication.
On Thursday, schedule time to play or watch the selected projects rather than assuming the expo alone will provide the same experience. If you are presenting a game, confirm the submission and showcase requirements with the organisers because the ten-place allocation makes the selection competitive.
Parties and the social programme
New Horizons promotes before- and after-parties with food, drink, arcades, go-karting and pool tournaments. A separate official announcement described a pre-party celebrating the tenth anniversary of Dead by Daylight, with themed entertainment and a Behaviour Interactive fireside chat at Stack in Middlesbrough. These events are useful for extending a daytime introduction, but they should not replace a scheduled business meeting when a contact’s availability is limited.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Venue, travel and practical preparation
The event is based at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough. The official site provides accommodation and getting-here resources, so check those pages for the latest directions and local arrangements. No verified hotel, transport or ticket affiliate programme is established in the published event material; rely on the organisers’ own information for those decisions.
- Download or save the latest programme before each day; the organisers say it is subject to change.
- Mark the Legends Lounge, LoFi Zone, LevelX Meeting Area, Tech Deep Dives, Masterclasses, Indie Stars, Investor Zone, Funding Forum, Mima Beach Huts, Play Stack, Double Eleven, Expo, Rockcliffe Room and Archery Room on your personal plan.
- Leave transition time between a meeting and a session, especially when moving from the expo to a named room.
- Carry a short company description, a current project link or build where relevant, and a simple follow-up action for every important conversation.
- Keep 16 October flexible until the unrevealed event details are published.
Who will get the most from New Horizons?
| Priority | Best-fit elements | Why attend |
|---|---|---|
| Business access | MeetToMatch, Investor Zone, Funding Forum | Structured meetings and named funders, platforms and public-support organisations. |
| Learning and craft | Headline talks, Tech Deep Dives, masterclasses | Leadership perspectives plus specialist sessions in technical and business disciplines. |
| Discovery | Expo, Play Stack, Indie Stars | Meet service providers and see unpublished games selected by games media. |
| Community and social value | VIP Reception, parties, after-party and Summat choices | More relaxed settings for introductions and a final day shaped around shared activities. |
The strongest itinerary combines one objective from each column: book the meetings that can affect your business, choose sessions that answer a current production or funding question, reserve time for discovery, and use the social programme to deepen the relationships you started during the day.
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.
