The Game Republic Event Calendar for 2026

Jan 14th – Tuning Teams in Turbulent Times with Natalie Griffith Online Webinar

 

These are turbulent times in industry and society. But how does that impact your teams and what can you do about it?

In times like these or if you are needing to downsize, re-org or change leadership in a team it is always a time of anxiety for everyone involved. It’s a cycle we’ve seen play out in games and tech for decades. But that uncertainty doesn’t end once the changes have been made. Like they say on a plane after a bumpy flight – “take care as you continue on your onward journey as personal items may have shifted in transit.” People are rattled, vulnerable and scared that they’ll have to take on a tonne of extra work. They’re grieving their colleagues and the certainty and stability that used to be there.So, what you do next to make sure your new-look team can thrive is every bit as important as the tough decisions you had to make in the first place. This free webinar for Game Republic members will give you the tools to make that “what next” as thoughtful and constructive as possible. You’ll learn to:

• Take the temperature of your team to work out where the foundations might have shifted
• Understand the critical principles you need to have in place for a team to survive and thrive
• Understand how to reassure and galvanise your team members as you move forward.

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Jan 28^th Trends and Opportunities for 2026 in Manchester

This is a Game Republic special event to start 2026, with a forecast on key trends and predictions for 2026 from Chris Dring, The Game Business and ex-GamesIndustry.biz and talks from special guests on publishing, PR, marketing, HR changes and tech trends for the year ahead including Dr Tommy Thompson (AI and Games), Sophie Shanks (Kepler Interactive), Sarah Brewster (Fresh Seed), Stuart Dinsey (Curve Games), Callum Underwood (UWU Biz), Lirui Ding (Transcend Fund), Rebecca Attard (Boost PR), Elaine Dowman (Barclays Games and Creative) and more guests to be confirmed.
All followed by drinks and networking afterwards!
Big thanks to Manchester Metropolitan University who have provided the venue for the event!

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February 11th – Let’s Talk Games in partnership with Game Republic Leamington Spa

 

Let’s Talk Games is a free event created to inspire, inform, and include anyone interested in a career in games. It helps students and young creatives learn directly from professionals shaping the UK games industry.
Hear from artists, designers, and developers covering the entire games pipeline; from concept art, 3D modelling, lighting, game design, production, and professional skills.
We’re also thrilled to announce that we’ve partnered with Game Republic for the 2026 edition!
Join us at The Spa Centre, Royal Leamington Spa, on 11 February 2026 for a day of creativity, connection, and insight into what it takes to build a career in games.

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Feb 19th – Webinar with Head of Games from Kickstarter

 

An exclusive webinar for Game Republic members with Asher McClennahan, Head of Games at Kickstarter, presenting about best practice on the platform and getting an audience – as well as answering your questions about running a successful Kickstarter campaign.__

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March 9^th-13^th – GDC Trade Mission, USA

March 19th – Dark & Doomy

Romeros Fireside Chat and Merch/Signing
with ticket option to pay just £5 (+ fees) to attend The Dark Room which runs from 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Followed by more signing and games

A special video games night – Dark & Doomy!

Fireside chat and meet with “the godfather of the first-person shooter”, co-founder of id Software and programmer, game and level designer on classic games Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM and Quake, John Romero, as well as the BAFTA award-winning designer and artist on games such as Wizardry and Ghost Recon, Brenda Romero.

You’ll also be able to play a selection of fantastic Doom-inspired indie games and get merch signed.

As a fundraiser for SpecialEffect, you can also buy a ticket for just £5 (plus fees) where you can attend the Romeros chat AND go to the outrageous laugh-out-loud live action video game-themed comedy show The Dark Room! (the show will be open to the public at £12 a ticket). You and the audience have to escape an insane room full of deathtraps and fiendish puzzles.
Described as a show “not to be missed” by The Guardian.

If you have a Doom-inspired game you would like to demo at the event, please let us know when you sign up – we have up to 6 spaces available.

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April  22nd – Unity x Game Republic at the National Videogame Museum Sheffield – 2pm-7.30pm

National Videogame Museum, Castle House, Angel St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S3 8LN

Come to this exciting Game Republic event in partnership with Unity which will provide deep dives into the platform as well as highlight updates and what’s coming soon.

We’re bringing together the best of the UK game development community for an exclusive afternoon dedicated to the world’s leading real-time 3D development platform. This is your chance to dive deep into the ecosystem with key members of the Unity team.

What to Expect:

• Expert Talks: The afternoon will feature essential talks from Unity staff and successful Unity users as they share their insights, technical knowledge, and creative strategies.
• Live Q&A with Unity Experts: You’ll have the valuable opportunity to ask questions directly to some of Unity’s leading technical specialists, gaining clarification and deeper understanding.
• Meet & Mingle (Evening Mixer): After the talks, join us for an evening mixer where you can get to know the Unity UK team and network with peers, forging connections that can help shape your future projects.

Join us for an afternoon of learning and inspiration, followed by an evening of connection and networking, empowering you to push the boundaries of what’s possible with Unity.

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May 21^st – GaMaYo Leeds + GR VIP Reception at Project House Leeds

It’s the return of GaMaYo with number 26, featuring networking, game demos and more for game-makers in The North including roundtables with experts to give you advice.

If you would also like to demo a game at the event, please indicate details on the “Game Demo” question when you get your ticket.

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June 17^th– GR Student Showcase and GR Careers Conference at University of Salford
June 18th  – GR Careers Conference at University of Salford

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July 1st   – Summer Arcade Party at Leeds Arcade Club

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July 14^th-16^th  – Develop Conference Brighton

July 15^th – GR Publisher Breakfast at Develop Brighton

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Aug 26^th – GR meet up drinks at Gamescom with special guests

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Sept 17th – Online webinar TBA

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October 14 – 16^th – GR New Horizons
October 14th – VIP Reception
October 15^th – GR New Horizons Conference and Expo + After Party
October 16th – GR event to be revealed

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November 19^th – GaMaYo and GR Awards

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December 9^th  – Christmas Party and GR Legendary Quiz

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Please note this programme is subject to change and there will be additional events added as the year progresses