Game Republic, a Yorkshire-based organisation that connects game developers, publishers and digital creative businesses, has run networking initiatives and conferences for more than two decades. The New Horizons summit has become one of its flagship gatherings, bringing together studios, investors, publishers and technology companies for discussions on market trends, financing, and the future of interactive entertainment. Establishing an advisory board signals an effort to broaden the conference’s international outlook as the global games industry enters a period marked by consolidation, technological change and new funding models.
The advisory panel includes executives, investors and industry specialists drawn from different regions of the global games market. Their role will involve helping curate conference themes, identifying speakers and shaping discussions around industry challenges such as studio financing, artificial intelligence in game development, and the shifting dynamics of publishing and distribution. Organisers say the board’s international composition is designed to bring diverse perspectives from Europe, North America and other major game development hubs.
Game Republic founder Jamie Sefton described the new board as an effort to strengthen the conference’s strategic direction and ensure it reflects developments across the worldwide games business. According to organisers, the panel will act as a sounding board for topics affecting both independent studios and large publishers, while also advising on ways to attract a broader mix of participants from the global gaming ecosystem.
The initiative arrives during a transformative period for the video games industry. Analysts have pointed to structural changes across the sector, including rising development costs, shifts in distribution models and an increased reliance on digital storefronts and subscription services. Major technology companies have also expanded their involvement in gaming, while artificial intelligence tools are becoming more integrated into game production pipelines.
Industry data has shown that the global games market remains one of the largest entertainment sectors, generating hundreds of billions of dollars in annual revenue through console, PC and mobile gaming. Yet the industry has faced turbulence over the past two years, with studio closures, layoffs and project cancellations affecting several major companies. Developers and investors have emphasised the need for sustainable funding models and stronger collaboration between studios and publishers.
Game Republic’s conference has traditionally focused on practical business opportunities for developers, including investment matchmaking and partnerships with publishers and technology providers. Organisers say the new advisory board will help ensure the 2026 programme reflects these priorities while also exploring longer-term themes such as intellectual property development, cross-media storytelling and the use of new technologies in game design.
Members of the advisory board are expected to contribute insights drawn from experience in areas such as venture capital, game publishing, and studio management. Organisers have indicated that the board will meet periodically ahead of the conference to evaluate the event’s programme and identify topics that reflect the evolving needs of the industry.
International collaboration has become increasingly important for game development communities, particularly as studios seek partners across multiple regions for funding, publishing and distribution. Conferences and networking platforms play a central role in facilitating these relationships, providing a space where developers can connect with investors, technology providers and platform holders.
Game Republic’s activities have historically focused on supporting studios in northern England, but its events have attracted participants from across Europe and beyond. Expanding the advisory structure reflects an attempt to position the New Horizons conference as a forum for global dialogue rather than solely a regional gathering.
Developers attending the event have often highlighted the value of direct interaction with investors and publishers, especially for independent studios seeking financial backing or distribution deals. Organisers have also emphasised mentorship and knowledge-sharing as key components of the conference’s programme, with sessions covering topics ranging from marketing strategies to technological innovation.
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