Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), securing a second term as its president while the organization unveiled the composition of its 2026‑2028 governing board. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent figures in the European gaming scene: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of the Homo Ludens collective, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, who have both stepped down from their board positions. The refreshed EGDF board now brings together a diverse set of industry veterans and representatives from a range of national and regional gaming bodies. The six members are: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief operating officer at Fourth Moon Games and general manager of the Dutch Games Association, offering a blend of studio leadership and national association experience.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, tasked with advocating for Finnish developers and fostering cross‑border collaboration. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing insight into cultural policy and regional economic development. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, bringing a strong focus on business growth and regional networking. - **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 organizing industry events.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director‑general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and contributing a perspective on national policy and labor issues. Together, this board is set to steer the federation through a strategic agenda that emphasizes moving developers higher up the value chain. In practical terms, EGDF intends to create clearer pathways for studios to capture greater share of revenue, improve their negotiating power, and access resources that were previously out of reach for many smaller or mid‑size companies.
Central to this mission is the promise of enhanced access to funding streams, whether through public grants, private investment, or EU‑wide financial instruments designed to stimulate creative industries. Talent acquisition and skill development also feature prominently in the two‑year plan.
The federation will launch a series of initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between academic training and industry needs, including mentorship programmes, specialised workshops, and partnerships with vocational schools across Europe. By aligning curricula with the latest technological trends—such as real‑time rendering, cloud‑based multiplayer infrastructure, and emerging monetisation models—EGDF hopes to equip developers with the competencies required to compete on a global stage. "The EGDF will continue to monitor and facilitate the development of the European game industry ecosystem, strengthen its collaboration with European game development studios, and increase the European game industry's global visibility," the organization stated in its release.
This commitment reflects a broader vision of positioning Europe not just as a producer of games, but as a leader in shaping the future of interactive entertainment. One of the most forward‑looking goals highlighted by the federation is its ambition to become the first AI‑centric European trade association for games. Recognising that the gaming sector has consistently been at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—from procedural content generation to player‑behaviour analytics—EGDF plans to embed AI expertise into its core operations.
This could involve establishing an AI advisory panel, curating best‑practice guidelines for ethical AI use, and lobbying for supportive regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation while protecting creators and consumers. The timing of these announcements coincides with the release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a joint effort by EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE).
The report paints a robust picture of the continent’s gaming economy, revealing that the sector generated approximately €24 billion in turnover during 2024. Moreover, the industry supports more than 6,600 studios and employs over 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles, from programming and art to marketing and community management.
These figures underscore the sector’s significance as a driver of economic growth, cultural export, and technological advancement. They also highlight the importance of the federation’s upcoming initiatives, which aim to sustain and amplify this momentum. By improving funding accessibility, nurturing talent pipelines, and championing AI integration, EGDF seeks to ensure that European developers can not only retain a competitive edge but also shape the next generation of interactive experiences. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a new, multifaceted board signal a period of strategic renewal for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear focus on financial support, skill development, and AI leadership, the organization is poised to guide the continent’s game developers toward greater prosperity and influence in the global market.