Hendrik Lesser has secured a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the federation’s announcement of its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 period. The leadership reshuffle also sees two prominent figures step away from their board positions: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games. The freshly appointed board brings together a diverse mix of industry veterans and representatives from key European gaming organisations.
The lineup now includes: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, tasked with championing Finnish game development on a continental stage. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering a blend of cultural insight and regional economic perspective. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, providing a strong network across Central and Eastern Europe.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for fostering indie talent and industry dialogue. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French gaming sector and its extensive creative community.
Together, this group is set to steer the federation through a strategic period focused on elevating European game developers within the global value chain. The EGDF’s two‑year agenda emphasizes three core pillars: improving access to funding, enhancing the talent pipeline, and expanding skill‑building opportunities for studios of all sizes.
"Our mission is to create a clear pathway for European developers to climb to the top of the industry’s value chain," the federation explained in its statement. "We will work tirelessly to open doors to capital, nurture the next generation of creative talent, and provide the training that studios need to stay competitive in an increasingly sophisticated market." Beyond financial and human‑resource support, the EGDF pledges to continue monitoring the health of the European game ecosystem, facilitating collaboration among studios across borders, and raising the profile of European games on the world stage. The organization highlighted its commitment to acting as a conduit between policymakers, investors, and developers, ensuring that regulatory frameworks and market conditions remain conducive to innovation. A notable ambition outlined by the federation is its intention to become the first AI‑driven European trade association within the gaming sector.
Recognising that the game industry often leads the adoption of artificial‑intelligence tools—from procedural content generation to advanced analytics—the EGDF aims to embed AI into its own operations and advocacy work. This forward‑looking goal reflects a broader industry trend where AI is reshaping development pipelines, player experience, and business models. In parallel with its strategic planning, the EGDF recently partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the *European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024*. The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the continent’s gaming landscape, revealing that the sector generated approximately €24 billion in revenue during 2024.
The data also underscores the scale of the industry’s employment footprint, with more than 6,600 studios collectively employing over 95,000 individuals across Europe. These figures illustrate the sector’s rapid growth and its importance as a driver of economic activity and cultural output.
The report highlights several key trends: an increase in cross‑border collaborations, a surge in investment in mid‑size studios, and a rising emphasis on sustainability and diversity within game development teams. It also points to the expanding role of emerging technologies—such as cloud gaming, virtual reality, and AI—in shaping future market dynamics.
Looking ahead, the EGDF’s board plans to leverage these insights to shape policy recommendations, secure additional funding streams, and launch targeted skill‑development programmes. Initiatives under consideration include mentorship schemes that pair emerging studios with seasoned veterans, grant programmes aimed at supporting innovative projects, and regional hubs that facilitate knowledge exchange and networking.
The federation also intends to strengthen its advocacy efforts at the European Union level, ensuring that legislation around digital markets, data protection, and intellectual property aligns with the unique needs of game creators. By fostering a supportive regulatory environment, the EGDF hopes to attract further investment and encourage the establishment of new studios throughout the continent. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a refreshed board signal a period of renewed focus and ambition for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear agenda centred on funding access, talent cultivation, and skill enhancement—augmented by a pioneering AI strategy—the EGDF is poised to champion the interests of European developers and elevate the region’s standing in the global gaming arena.