The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that its leadership for the 2026‑2028 term will continue under the stewardship of Hendrik Lesser, who has been re‑elected as president. The announcement also introduced the fresh composition of the federation’s board, marking a significant shift in its governance structure. Two notable figures stepped away from their board positions: David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio. Their departures open space for new voices to shape the federation’s strategic direction.
The newly appointed board members are: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and general manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings extensive experience in both operational leadership and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, offering deep insight into the Finnish game development ecosystem and its growing export potential. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a blend of cultural policy expertise and regional business development.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, combining commercial acumen with a strong network across the Balkans. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie creators and fostering cross‑border collaborations. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French video‑game sector and its policy interests at the European level.
The EGDF outlined a clear agenda for the upcoming biennium, emphasizing the creation of a "route to the top of the value chain" for European developers. This strategic focus translates into concrete initiatives aimed at improving developers’ access to three core resources: funding, talent, and skill development.
**Funding Access** The federation plans to act as an intermediary between developers and a variety of financing sources, ranging from public grants and EU‑backed programmes to private investment funds. By streamlining application processes and providing tailored advisory services, EGDF intends to reduce the administrative burden that often hampers smaller studios from securing the capital needed for ambitious projects. **Talent Acquisition** Recognising the shortage of specialised personnel in areas such as game design, programming, art, and audio, EGDF will launch a series of talent‑matching initiatives. These will include a pan‑European job portal, partnerships with universities and vocational schools, and mentorship schemes that connect seasoned industry veterans with emerging professionals.
The goal is to create a fluid pipeline that helps studios quickly locate the expertise they require while offering career pathways for aspiring game creators. **Skills Development** To keep pace with rapid technological change, EGDF will expand its educational offerings.
This includes workshops on emerging topics like real‑time ray tracing, cloud‑based multiplayer infrastructures, and, notably, the integration of artificial intelligence into game development workflows. By delivering both online modules and in‑person bootcamps across multiple European cities, the federation hopes to raise the overall competency level of the continent’s development community. In a statement, the EGDF emphasized its commitment to monitoring and facilitating the growth of the European game‑industry ecosystem.
The organization highlighted its intention to deepen collaboration with studios across the continent, thereby strengthening the collective voice of European developers on the global stage. "Our aim is to enhance the visibility of European games worldwide, showcasing the region’s creativity, technical excellence, and cultural diversity," the federation said.
A forward‑looking component of the EGDF’s strategy involves leveraging the industry’s position as a pioneer in AI‑driven tools and technologies. The federation has set an ambitious target to become the first AI‑centric European trade association for games. This will involve establishing standards for ethical AI use, facilitating research collaborations, and promoting best practices for integrating AI into game design, production, and player experience. Earlier in the week, the EGDF partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024.
The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the sector’s economic performance, indicating that the European games market generated approximately €24 billion in turnover during 2024. The industry comprises more than 6,600 development studios, collectively employing over 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles, from creative artists to business and support staff.
These figures underscore the sector’s significance as a driver of employment and economic activity within the European Union. The insights report also highlighted trends such as the growing importance of live‑service models, the rise of cross‑platform play, and the increasing adoption of sustainable development practices.
Looking ahead, the EGDF’s renewed board and its clarified strategic priorities signal a proactive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for European game developers. By focusing on funding pathways, talent pipelines, skill enhancement, and AI integration, the federation aims to empower studios of all sizes to compete more effectively on the world stage, foster innovation, and sustain the vibrant creative ecosystem that defines Europe’s gaming landscape.