Game Republic will be welcoming a new member of the team next week as Michela Vilinskis will join GR to support our work for the GR communities and events as new Community and Events Officer. Many developers would have met Michela at GaMaYo events over the last couple of years.
Michela gained a first class honours degree in Game Design this year and has a passion for games. Michela joins at a busy time for the network, which is the largest games industry network in The North, and will be supporting 4 stellar events supported by Official Partners Red Kite Games, Xsolla and Barclays Games and Creative this Autumn including Game Dev Essentials at The Baltic in Newcastle/Gateshead on September 10th, Game Republic New Horizons October 16th, GaMaYo and the Game Republic Awards on Nov 13th at WX, and the Legendary Game Republic Quiz and Christmas Party on December 10th, which this year will be served with an extra special twist to be revealed soon. Add to that, the Game Republic Student Club, the Great Northern Games Discord and GaMaYo as well as an office move, Michela will be having a busy start, but Michela is undaunted, saying
“I’ve been passionate about games since I was old enough to pick up a controller. I’ve grown up in an era that has seen some incredible games break the norms, pushed boundaries but at the same time, create spaces for people to feel safe and really be themselves. I’m always asked what my favourite game is and the truth is there are so many I love, all for different reasons but if I had to name a few…Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Until Dawn, Detroit Become Human, Cyberpunk 2077, Banjo-Kazooie and Subnautica…I can’t wait to get started supporting game developers and studios across The North”
4 years ago Michela gave up a full time stable job to follow a dream to go to university and learn all they could about games….
“Having been out of education for such a long time it was a huge risk and I certainly had moments of imposter syndrome as well as thinking “I’ve made a huge mistake”. But I stuck with it, never gave up and graduated 2025 with a First- Class Honours degree in Game Design and even got a special mention (along with team members) for a project I was part of that was showcased in the Royal Armouries in Leeds earlier in the year!
Throughout my time at university I was lucky enough to be introduced to GameRepublic/GaMaYo and the wonderful team that are Jackie and Jamie. Helping at several events over the years and gaining insight into what they do to help the industry and the people that shape it. I am so excited to join the team and can’t wait to get stuck in helping to shape the future of GameRepublic/GaMaYo and see where it leads!”
Dr Jackie Mulligan at Game Republic is delighted to have Michela join Game Republic. “We are so pleased that Michela is joining the team, having worked with them over the years at GaMaYo, we have been really impressed. It’s an exciting development for Game Republic that will help us to better support our growing communities of members, partners and networks across The North!”
For information on upcoming Game Republic events visit https://gamerepublic.net/networking-events/events-calendar/
If you are studying at an Educational Partner Institution apply to join the Game Republic Student Club here
If you are making games in The North or supporting game development, apply to join the Great Northern Games Discord here
If you would like to apply to become a member of Game Republic (businesses, sole traders and organisations only) please apply here
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