The European gaming landscape is shifting, and Germany is positioning itself to remain at the absolute epicenter of it.

game – The German Games Industry Association, the powerful organisation behind massive global entities like gamescom, has officially elected its new Executive Board. As the central voice for development studios, publishers, esports organisers, and educational institutions across Germany, this election maps out the strategic direction for one of the most vital gaming markets in the world.

Here is what the new leadership means for the industry, the massive events on the horizon, and the push to make Germany a global gaming powerhouse.

Leadership and Continuity: The Power of Five

The election, which operates on a regular rotation policy, brings together a stellar mix of proven veterans and fresh perspectives. The association’s five-member Executive Board remains anchored by a strong sense of continuity, ensuring that major long-term initiatives won’t lose momentum.

The Executive Board Lineup:

• Lars Janssen (DECK 13): Continuing his vital role as Chairman of the Executive Board. Under his ongoing leadership, the association continues to bridge the gap between heavy-hitting local development and international market reach.
• Julia Pfiffer (astragon Entertainment): Re-elected to the board, ensuring that mainstream publishing and simulation-giant expertise remain heavily represented.
• Christian Kluckert (Asgard’s Wrath / veteran developer representation): Bringing deep-rooted development insight to the roundtable.
• Johanna Janiszewski (TinyTech): Bringing agility, indie developer advocacy, and forward-thinking innovation to the core strategy.
• Stefan Marcinek (Assemble Entertainment): Rounding out the board with a sharp focus on indie publishing, community growth, and regional industry support.

Managing Director Felix Falk continues to lead the operational game office team, working hand-in-hand with the newly elected board.

Why This Election Matters for Global Gaming

Germany isn’t just a consumer market; it’s a critical infrastructure hub for the global gaming industry. The new board steps in at a time of massive transition and monumental scale.

1. Navigating gamescom 2026 and Beyond

As co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s largest event for computer and video games, the board’s immediate horizon includes managing an unprecedentedly high-profile event. With high-ranking political figures like Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Federal Games Minister Dorothee Bär confirmed to open gamescom 2026, the political and cultural capital of gaming in Germany has never been higher.

2. The Evolution of ‘gamescom dev’

The board will oversee major shifts in the developer ecosystem. Following the recent transition of leadership at game events GmbH (a subsidiary of the association) from Stephan Reichart to Frederik Hammes, Europe’s largest developer conference—previously known as devcom—is running under its new unified brand, gamescom dev. The board’s primary goal will be to solidify this event as the premier global gathering for game creators.

3. Funding, Advocacy, and Cultural Legitimacy

From managing the German Computer Game Awards to advocating for more robust, reliable federal funding structures for local studios, the new Executive Board faces the challenge of keeping Germany competitive against heavy tax-incentive regions like Canada, France, and the UK.

“Our mission remains clear: together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With a balanced, expert board representing everything from indie studios to massive publishers, we are fully equipped to tackle the industry’s upcoming challenges.” — game – The German Games Industry Association

Looking Forward

With gamescom 2026 kicking off this August (starting with gamescom dev on August 24 and Opening Night Live on August 25), the newly elected board is walking straight into the spotlight.

For UK and global onlookers, the message from the German industry is clear: stability, strategic evolution, and an unyielding push to turn Europe’s biggest gaming market into its most innovative development hub.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing European game developers? Let us know in the comments below!

Source – http://www.game.de/en/members

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