(Image: Tom Banks)
More than 400 games developers, publishers, studio bosses, entrepreneurs and investors gathered in the North East to discuss new games, technology, markets and opportunities.
The major UK games conference Game Republic New Horizons drew developers, publishers, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world to Middlesbrough.
Speakers included the creators of James Bond: 007 First Light and Star Wars: Galactic Racer, plus PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi.
Game Republic New Horizons brought more than 400 games industry professionals to Middlesbrough, featuring PlayStation founder Ken Kutaragi and investment talks (Image: Tom Banks)
Jamie Sefton, managing director of Game Republic, said: "This was one of the biggest and best line-ups of speakers and companies at a games conference held in the UK.
"It was great to see hundreds of games industry professionals from all over the UK, Europe, Asia, Canada and the USA to Middlesbrough here to do business, enjoy talks and presentations and see the talent and opportunities on offer.
"There were more than 250 scheduled meetings at the event and there was so much energy in the rooms."
Matt Webster Fuse Games interviewed by Video Games Chronicle (Image: Tom Banks)
The conference covered artificial intelligence in gaming, storytelling, international markets, game-building technology and visual effects.
Its Investor Zone covered angel investment, public funding, preparing companies for investors and pitching projects.
Representatives from Microsoft Xbox, Tencent Games, BAFTA, Innovate UK, the Arts Council, Steel City Interactive and the BFI joined the programme.
Game Republic (Image: Tom Banks)
Pre-conference events included Behaviour Interactive UK’s Dead by Daylight 10th Anniversary Celebration and a VIP reception hosted by Middlesbrough-based Double Eleven.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "Teesside has built a fantastic reputation as one of the UK’s leading centres for video games development, and attracting a major industry event with global names like these shows the progress we are making.
"We’ve got brilliant businesses and talented people right here on our doorstep, and our £160million Investment Zone for the digital and creative sectors is about giving them the backing and opportunities they need to grow.
Game Republic (Image: Tom Banks)
"Getting leading developers, publishers and investors into Teesside puts our region firmly in the shop window.
"It means we can showcase what our industry has to offer, attract new investment and ultimately create more highly skilled careers for local people right here."
The Indie Stars showcase pitted 10 unreleased games from around the world against each other for a cash prize decided by a live audience vote.
Observer Interactive won £2,000 and a year’s free Game Republic membership.
Mike Bithell interviewed by Knowledge - Edge magazine (Image: Tom Banks)
The after-party included a banquet by award-winning chef Tarek Thoma at Bazaar, a visit to the Ensemble exhibition and a two-floor LevelX arcade event with go-karting, golf, bowling, roller skating and karaoke.
Game Republic New Horizons, backed by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, sold out.
Other supporters include Keywords Studios, Steel City Interactive, Plus Accounting, Escape Technology, Silver Lining Interactive, Xsolla, Wired2Fire, Innovate UK Business Connect, Unity and Praxis.
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The conference returns to Middlesbrough in October 2027.
Visit grnewhorizons.gamerepublic.net for updates and further details.
Official partners supporting Game Republic New Horizons include Red Kite Games, Xsolla, Double Eleven and Middlesbrough Council.