4J Studios’ Chairman and celebrated YouTuber/game designer discuss their open-world sandbox game Reforj at the conference’s exclusive VIP Reception
Game Republic New Horizons, the UK games industry conference taking place in Middlesbrough this October, has announced that 4J Studios’ Chris van der Kuyl CBE and Joseph “Stampy” Garrett will be interviewed at the conference’s VIP Reception in a special session partnered with the Scottish Game Developers Association (SGDA).
The VIP Reception, which will happen on the 14th October at games company Double Eleven’s award-winning studio, will feature 4J’s Chairman Chris van der Kuyl CBE and designer Joseph “Stampy” Garrett in conversation about the creation of the open-world sandbox game Reforj as well as running a successful games studio and launching a new IP in a challenging market. Game Republic New Horizons is part of the 2026 Game Republic events programme supported by Official Partners Red Kite Games, Xsolla and Double Eleven.
Chris Van der Kuyl CBE and Joseph “Stampy” Garrett
Chris van der Kuyl is one of Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs working across the technology, media, gaming and entertainment sectors. Chris is most notably co-founder and chairman of multiple award-winning games developer 4J Studios, best known for developing Minecraft for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo games consoles. He and fellow co-founder Paddy Burns launched Chroma Ventures, the investment arm of 4J Studios, in 2021 and Chris was also formally recognised for his contribution to technology in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020, becoming a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Joseph Garrett was a full-time YouTuber for over a decade, focusing on gaming videos for a young audience. In that time as “Stampy Cat”, he gained ten million subscribers and over eight billion views. Joseph is currently working as a consultant designer to help 4J Studios create their new sandbox survival game, Reforj.
Chris van der Kuyl CBE said, “Joe and myself are really excited about finally being able to talk about the innovations in our game Reforj at the VIP Reception, as well as actually attending GR New Horizons, which we have heard a lot about after the event debuted last year.”
Jamie Sefton, Managing Director of Game Republic said, “4J Studios have been creating fantastic games for many years, so it’s really lovely that they can share their passion at our conference reception for their new game Reforj. I’m also personally really looking forward to meeting Stampy Cat – I’ve watched literally hundreds of his brilliant Minecraft YouTube videos with my daughter!”
Last year’s inaugural GR New Horizons conferencesupported by the Tees Valley Combined Authority brought over 250 developers from across the UK, Europe, the US and Japan, studio leaders and senior leaders from the creative industries to the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough in the heart of the Tees Valley – the fastest growing tech hub outside London.
For the 2026 conference, organisers are promising GR New Horizons is set to be even bigger and better, with the “Father of PlayStation” Ken Kutaragi flying in from Japan to kick off the exciting line-up that also includes Rebecca Lautner, Chief Business Officer at Landfall, creators of hit game PEAK, with more great speakers to be announced.
Game Republic New Horizons, taking place 14 – 16 October promises a legendary selection of quality speakers, the best after-party in the games industry and some new exciting additions including a curated indie showcase, masterclasses, business workshops, tech deep-dives, an expo and an Investor Zone in collaboration with Games London. The team also promise some unique experiences on the final day that will be revealed soon. Advance tickets at £199 are available now via the conference website, as well as discounted accommodation: grnewhorizons.gamerepublic.net
First supporters to come on board include Kudos Games, Steel City Interactive, Plus Accounting, Escape Technology, Innovate UK Business Connect and Behaviour Interactive. Game Republic New Horizons is supported by Tees Valley Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Council and supported by Game Republic’s Official Partners Red Kite Games, Xsolla and Double Eleven.
About Game Republic
Game Republic is the largest games industry trade body and network in the North of England with over 2000 developers, educational partners and industry service providers. The network runs 12 events a year for game developers and works internationally on trade missions and at national and international events supporting games businesses across The North of England and the UK. www.gamerepublic.net
About Tees Valley Combined Authority
The Tees Valley Combined Authority was created in April 2016. Its purpose is to drive economic growth and job creation in the area. It is a partnership of five authorities; Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees, working closely with the business community and other partners to make local decisions to support the growth of our economy.
About Game Republic New Horizon’s International Advisory Board
The Game Republic team have brought together an advisory board reflecting the vision for creating an internationally-recognised conference. Advisory board members include Stefan Lampinen (Game Advisor Ltd in Sweden), Tony Byus (Rainy Frog publisher in Japan), Asher McClennahan (Kickstarter from the USA), Elaine Dowman (IMIRT – the Irish Game Makers Association), David Lilley (Kudos Games), Gina Jackson OBE (Pitchify), Simon Iwaniszak (Red Kite Games) Des Gayle (Day Off Interactive), Kimberley Turner (Double Eleven), Charles Cecil (Revolution), HaZ Dulull (Beyond The Pixel), Bob Makin (Behaviour), Alison Lacy (Radical Forge), Callum Underwood (Uwu Biz), Michael French MBE (Games London), Andrew Crawshaw (Thunkd), John Sanderson (Pitstop Productions), Ron Ashtiani (Last Arrow Games), Nina Cliff (Business Development) and Chris Taylor (Eaton Smith Solicitors), Chris Dring (The Game Business), Ben Robinson (ID@Xbox), Olly Bennett (Cardboard Sword), Sarah York (Panda Cat Games), Luke Mills (Dink) and Nareice Wint (Miami Avalon) as well as local representatives Charlie Kemp (Tees Valley Combined Authority) and Michelle Shelton (Middlesbrough Council).
Game Republic Members get free access to events, significant discounts to GR New Horizons and significant discounts on industry partner events. To find out how to be part of Game Republic click here
To join the conversation with developers across The North and attend FREE Discord chats on the first Tuesday of every month –  join the Great Northern Games Discord
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