Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) as its president, coinciding with the federation’s announcement of its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 term. The leadership shuffle also saw two notable departures: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of the Homo Ludens studio, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games development house, both stepped down from their board positions. The freshly constituted EGDF board now brings together a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of European gaming organisations: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, offering a blend of operational expertise and national industry insight.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, tasked with championing the interests of Finnish developers on a continental stage. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a cultural and business‑policy perspective.
- **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 regional advocacy. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, bringing event‑organising experience and indie‑sector representation.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and ensuring a strong voice from the francophone market. Together, this board is set to steer the federation through a strategic period that focuses on elevating European developers along the entire value chain. The EGDF’s two‑year agenda explicitly targets three core pillars: enhanced access to funding, improved pathways for talent acquisition, and the development of specialised skills that match the fast‑evolving demands of the gaming sector.
In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF highlighted its commitment to monitoring and nurturing the European game‑industry ecosystem. The federation plans to deepen its collaboration with studios across the continent, facilitating knowledge‑sharing networks, joint research initiatives, and cross‑border partnerships that can amplify the sector’s global visibility.
By acting as a central hub for information and advocacy, EGDF hopes to position European games as a competitive force on the world stage. A notable ambition outlined by the federation is its intention to become the first AI‑focused European trade association within the gaming arena. Recognising that the video‑game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to advanced player‑behaviour analytics—EGDF aims to harness these technologies to streamline development pipelines, improve player experiences, and create new business models. The association envisions a future where AI not only supports creative processes but also informs policy discussions, funding criteria, and skill‑training programmes.
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 landscape: in 2024, the European games sector generated approximately €24 billion in revenue, a figure that underscores the market’s economic significance.
Moreover, the industry is supported by more than 6,600 development studios, collectively employing over 95,000 professionals across a wide spectrum of roles, from programming and art direction to marketing and community management. These statistics illustrate both the scale and the potential of the European gaming ecosystem. They also highlight the importance of the EGDF’s strategic focus areas. By improving funding mechanisms—whether through public grants, private investment, or cross‑border financing schemes—the federation hopes to lower barriers for indie creators and mid‑size studios seeking to scale their operations.
Talent development is another critical component; the board plans to collaborate with educational institutions, vocational training providers, and industry mentors to build curricula that reflect current technological trends, such as AI‑driven design tools, cloud‑based multiplayer infrastructure, and immersive reality platforms. Skill enhancement initiatives will be tailored to address gaps identified through industry surveys and the insights report. For instance, workshops on ethical AI use, data‑privacy compliance, and sustainable development practices are slated for inclusion in upcoming EGDF‑hosted events.
By equipping developers with these competencies, the federation aims to boost both the quality and the marketability of European games. In addition to internal programmes, EGDF will continue to advocate for favorable regulatory environments at the European Union level.
This includes lobbying for tax incentives, streamlined export procedures, and supportive intellectual‑property frameworks that can help studios navigate the complexities of international distribution. Overall, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the infusion of fresh board talent signal a period of proactive growth for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear roadmap that blends financial support, talent cultivation, and cutting‑edge technology adoption, the organization is poised to strengthen the continent’s gaming sector, ensuring that European developers not only thrive locally but also compete effectively on the global stage.