More Industry Heavyweights Including “Father Of Playstation” Lined Up For Growing Teesside Gaming Conference

More major international figures from the global gaming industry have been confirmed to speak at a flagship conference later this year – further cementing our region’s growing reputation as a centre for digital and creative excellence.

Game Republic has announced that gaming pioneer Ken Kutaragi and Landfall’s Rebecca Lautner will both take to the stage at its New Horizons conference, set to take place at the Riverside Stadium, in Middlesbrough, from 14 to 16 October.

The event, supported by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, is expected to attract developers, investors and creative leaders from across the UK and beyond.

Mr Kutaragi – widely regarded as the “Father of PlayStation” – will headline the conference in a rare UK appearance. As the architect behind the PlayStation console and its successors, he is one of the most influential figures in the history of the global games industry.

He is expected to offer insight into decades of innovation and the future direction of interactive entertainment.

Joining him will be Rebecca Lautner, Chief Business Officer at Landfall – the Swedish studio behind a string of globally successful titles, including the hit co-op game PEAK.

The event will also feature 4J’s Chairman Chris van der Kuyl CBE and designer Joseph “Stampy” Garrett in conversation about the creation of their new open-world sandbox game Reforj, as well as its work running a successful games studio and launching a new IP in a challenging market.

The Game Republic New Horizons conference has rapidly grown into a key event in the UK gaming calendar.

It brings together hundreds of industry professionals to take a closer look at opportunities in game development, digital technology and the wider creative industries where the Tees Valley, in particular, is seeing significant growth.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Bringing figures of this global standing to Teesside shows just how far our digital and creative sector has come.

“From world-leading studios to major events like this, we’re building a reputation as one of the most exciting places in the UK for gaming, tech and creative businesses.

“We’re already on the map internationally. Global media giants are already sitting up, taking notice and signing up the talent, skill and craft we have in our region’s gaming community.

“Now we want to build on this to create even more opportunities for local people and businesses through our Investment Zone.”

The Tees Valley is already home to a fast-growing cluster of digital and gaming companies, supported by the region’s £160million Investment Zone focused on the sector and attracting investment to it.

Game Republic’s Managing Director Jamie Sefton added: “Securing speakers of this calibre is a huge moment for the conference and a sign of the ambition we have for New Horizons.

“We’re bringing some of the most influential people in the global games industry to Teesside, giving developers, businesses and investors the chance to learn, connect and grow right here in the region.”

Further speakers and programme details are expected to be announced in the coming months, with organisers aiming to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event.

For more information, go to: Game Republic New Horizons – UK flagship games industry conference