During the meeting, the board approved CYGMA’s strategic priorities for the year and confirmed that the association will begin accepting membership applications starting March 1. The appointment of a General Manager represents a key step in building CYGMA’s operational foundation as a newly established industry body.
Ivashentsev is known as the co-founder of GDCy, the largest and most influential game development community in Cyprus. Over the past four years, GDCy has grown into a central platform for the island’s game industry, uniting developers, studios, publishers, and international partners. The community has played a major role in fostering collaboration, professional development, and global visibility for Cyprus-based game developers.
Under Ivashentsev’s leadership, GDCy also launched GDCy Fest, a flagship industry event that has become a key meeting point for the local and international game development community. The conference has attracted industry professionals from across Europe and beyond, reinforcing Cyprus’s position as an emerging game development hub.
In addition to his work with GDCy, Ivashentsev brings international corporate experience from roles at Microsoft, where he worked on games-related initiatives across the CIS and Central & Eastern Europe, including projects involving AR/VR technologies, as well as C-level leadership experience at Game Insight, a globally recognized mobile game publisher. This combination of grassroots community building and global industry experience positions him well to lead CYGMA’s operational development.
As General Manager, Ivashentsev will focus on expanding CYGMA’s membership base, supporting the growth of local studios, and strengthening connections between the Cyprus game industry and the global market. His appointment underscores CYGMA’s commitment to building on the strong foundations already established by the island’s game development community.