What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Ken Kutaragi, the Sony executive and PlayStation pioneer widely known as the “Father of PlayStation,” is the headline guest at Game Republic New Horizons in Middlesbrough. The conference runs from 14 to 16 October 2026 at Riverside Stadium, placing one of the games industry’s most influential engineers at the centre of Teesside’s effort to build a larger games and digital-creative economy.
Who is the “Father of PlayStation”?
Ken Kutaragi is the Sony executive associated with the original PlayStation and its early successors. His work helped establish Sony as a major force in console gaming, making him a significant figure for developers, investors and technology companies as well as for PlayStation fans.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
At New Horizons, Kutaragi is scheduled to speak in conversation with The Game Business journalist Chris Dring. His appearance gives the Middlesbrough event an international industry profile, while the format is intended to focus on experience, innovation and future opportunities rather than nostalgia alone.
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 reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute“I am absolutely delighted to be part of the show. I am looking forward to sharing my experience and lifetime of innovation and my insights on future opportunities with all the attendees,” Kutaragi said in a statement quoted by Push Square on 31 March 2026.
#1 Best Overall
- Model Number CFI-2000
- Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
- Vertical Stand sold seperately
What is Ken Kutaragi doing in Middlesbrough?
Kutaragi is taking part in the main conference programme at Game Republic New Horizons. His conversation with Chris Dring is designed to share lessons from his career and perspectives on where the games business may go next.
The event is being held at Riverside Stadium from 14–16 October 2026. It is presented as a professional conference for people working in games and adjacent creative fields, not as a consumer gaming convention built around playable releases or celebrity appearances.
What happens at Game Republic New Horizons?
New Horizons combines industry discussion with practical development and business activity. The published programme includes:
- Talks from games and creative-industry leaders
- Technical sessions for developers and technology teams
- Investment meetings connecting studios with potential funders
- Showcases for projects and companies
- Masterclasses focused on skills and production
- Business workshops covering commercial and operational issues
This mix is intended to connect game development with the wider creative industries. Developers can learn about production and technology, while investors and regional partners can meet studios, suppliers and creative businesses in one place.
Rank #2
- CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen Zen 8 Cores / 16 Threads at 3.5GHz.GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine.
- 16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity
- Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
- HDR technology, 8K output, 4K TV gaming, Up to 120 fps with 120Hz output, Tempest 3D AudioTech
- What's Included: Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Version; Wireless controller; USB cable, HDMI cable, AC power cord. Nogtox PVT HDMI_cable
How large is the conference?
Invest in Middlesbrough says more than 200 leaders are expected to attend the 2026 event. That is a forecast for this edition, not a final attendance figure; the final 2026 total has not been published in the available announcements.
Game Republic reported that its inaugural 2025 event attracted more than 250 developers from the UK, Europe, the United States and Japan. The 2025 figure counts developers, whereas the 2026 expectation refers to leaders, so the two numbers should not be treated as a like-for-like attendance comparison.
Why does New Horizons matter to Teesside?
The conference gives Teesside a platform for bringing together studios, investors, technology companies and creative-industry organisations. Regional coverage identifies participants and partners including Red Kite Games, Xsolla, Double Eleven, Landfall and IO Interactive.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →That network matters because a sustainable games cluster needs more than individual studios. It also needs specialist suppliers, experienced staff, investment relationships, business support and opportunities for companies to show work to international contacts. By putting those activities into one three-day programme, New Horizons is intended to support commercial connections as well as knowledge sharing.
Rank #3
- 🚀 CPU: 3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
- 🚀 Storage: Custom 825GB SSD
- 🚀 RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- 🚀 GPU: 10.3 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
Is the North East becoming a gaming hub?
New Horizons is evidence of growing ambition, rather than proof that the North East has already become a single, mature gaming hub. The region’s case rests on several signals: an international speaker such as Kutaragi, a 2025 gathering that drew more than 250 developers from four major markets, and the involvement of established studios and technology companies.
The event’s focus also distinguishes the regional strategy from a fan-led convention. Investment meetings, technical sessions and business workshops address the infrastructure and commercial relationships that can help studios start, scale and retain talent. Whether that momentum produces sustained growth will depend on continued investment, company performance and future events; those outcomes cannot be established from the announced 2026 programme alone.
Who is New Horizons for?
The conference is aimed primarily at games developers, studio leaders, investors, publishers, technology providers and people working across digital creative industries. Showcases and masterclasses may also interest aspiring developers and students, but the event’s core purpose is professional networking, learning and deal-making.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesAnyone considering attendance should check Game Republic’s current ticket information and access details before travelling, because availability and meeting arrangements can change during the event period.
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.
