The upcoming Game Republic New Horizons conference has broadened its roster of presenters by welcoming two prominent studios, Housemarque and Bithell Games, to its schedule. In addition to these new additions, Nintendo will conduct an open‑hour breakfast session aimed at developers and publishers, offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with the console giant’s business development and developer relations teams.
Housemarque’s visual‑effects lead, Robbert Groenendijk, will lead a deep‑dive workshop that explores both the artistic vision and the underlying technical pipelines used to create the striking visual effects in the studio’s latest title, Saros. Attendees can expect a thorough examination of effect design, shader construction, particle system optimization, and the ways the team balances performance constraints with artistic ambition on modern hardware.
Groenendijk will also field questions about the collaborative workflow between artists and programmers, providing actionable insights for studios looking to elevate their own VFX pipelines. From the indie side, Bithell Games’ founder and creative director, Mike Bithell, will sit down for a fireside conversation with Knowledge editor Patrick Garratt.
The discussion will focus on Bithell’s upcoming project, Vampirium: 1997, a narrative‑driven adventure set against the backdrop of late‑1990s vampire folklore. The chat will cover the game’s design philosophy, the challenges of blending retro aesthetics with contemporary storytelling techniques, and the studio’s approach to player agency and emotional resonance.
Bithell will also share lessons learned from previous releases, offering aspiring developers a candid look at the iterative process behind indie game production. Nintendo’s participation comes in the form of a breakfast‑style session scheduled for October 15, running from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The meeting is open to any conference attendee, regardless of whether they are officially registered as Nintendo developers or publishers. The agenda is intentionally informal, allowing participants to pose questions about a wide range of topics: the practicalities of working with Nintendo’s hardware and software ecosystems, the development of proprietary tools, publishing pathways, support services, and any other concerns that arise when partnering with a major platform holder. While the session does not require a separate Nintendo developer credential, a valid Game Republic New Horizons ticket is mandatory for entry. The three‑day event, taking place from October 14 to 16 at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, promises a packed agenda that goes beyond the highlighted sessions.
The conference will open with a keynote address from industry legend Ken Kutaragi, followed by a series of fireside chats, panels, and masterclasses. Notably, GamesIndustry.biz editor Lewis Packwood will moderate a conversation with Landfall Games’ Chief Business Officer Rebecca Lautner, while IO Interactive’s CEO Håkan Abrak will lead a deep‑technical session on the development of 007 First Light.
Among the broader program, a panel titled “Hype‑free Assessment of AI in Games” will bring together AI specialist Tommy Thompson, Creative Assembly’s Duygu Cakmak, and Splash Damage’s Matthias Siemonsmeier to discuss realistic expectations for artificial‑intelligence integration in interactive entertainment. In the Investor Zone, Tencent’s business‑development director Teddy Keefe will host a fireside chat, and a separate panel called “Beyond the Pitch: Securing (and Surviving) Angel Investment” will feature insights from Nick Button‑Brown of The Game Angels, Ansible’s Tracy McGarrigan, and Flick Games’ Ian Masters. The conference also showcases public‑funding bodies such as the British Film Institute, Arts Council England, and Innovate UK, each presenting opportunities for developers seeking financial support.
Xbox will run a dedicated session on bringing titles to its ecosystem, while other panels will explore international market strategies, narrative design masterclasses, and practical guidance on constructing an effective Steam store page. An important update for prospective attendees: Game Republic has confirmed with GamesIndustry.biz that the Nintendo breakfast session has reached full capacity, meaning all available spots have been claimed.
Interested parties should note that the session will proceed as planned, but no additional registrations will be accepted. GameIndustry.biz serves as a media partner for GR New Horizons 2026, providing ongoing coverage and analysis throughout the event.
The partnership ensures that industry professionals, journalists, and enthusiasts alike will have access to timely updates, interview excerpts, and behind‑the‑scenes perspectives from the conference’s diverse lineup of speakers and participants.