The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its governing board for the 2026‑2028 term, and in the process reaffirmed Hendrik Lesser as its president. Lesser’s re‑election signals continuity at the helm of an organization that is positioning itself as a central advocate for game creators across the continent.
Two notable figures stepped away from the board this cycle: David Rabineau, the chief executive of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio. Their departures open space for fresh perspectives, and the newly appointed members bring a broad mix of experience from development, publishing, policy, and industry support structures. The refreshed EGDF board now includes: - **Martine Spaans** – currently serving as Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and also the General Manager of the Dutch Games Association.
Spaans brings deep knowledge of both studio operations and national industry coordination. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, offering insight into the Nordic development ecosystem and its strong emphasis on indie innovation. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a bridge between cultural policy and commercial interests.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, giving him a pan‑regional view of Central and Eastern European markets. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing emerging talent and networking opportunities. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and adding a strong voice from one of Europe’s largest gaming communities. These six individuals, together with President Lesser, will steer the federation through a period that the organization describes as a "route to the top of the value chain" for European developers.
The board’s stated priorities revolve around three core pillars: enhanced access to funding, improved talent pipelines, and the cultivation of advanced skill sets. **Funding pathways** The EGDF plans to work closely with national and EU‑level funding bodies to simplify application processes and to raise awareness of available grants, tax incentives, and investment schemes. By acting as an intermediary, the federation hopes to reduce the administrative burden that often deters smaller studios from pursuing external capital. Initiatives may include curated matchmaking events where developers can pitch directly to venture capitalists, as well as workshops that demystify complex financing structures.
**Talent development** Recognising that Europe’s gaming sector competes for the same skilled workforce as other high‑tech industries, EGDF will launch programs aimed at nurturing both creative and technical talent. This could involve partnerships with universities, coding bootcamps, and art schools to create curricula that align with current industry needs.
Mentorship schemes, apprenticeship placements, and cross‑border exchange programs are also on the agenda, allowing emerging professionals to gain experience in diverse studio environments. **Skill enhancement** Beyond entry‑level training, the federation intends to support continuous professional development for seasoned developers. Plans include a series of masterclasses on emerging technologies such as real‑time ray tracing, procedural generation, and, notably, artificial intelligence. The EGDF explicitly positions itself at the forefront of AI integration, aiming to become “the first AI‑based European trade association.” This ambition reflects a broader industry trend where AI tools are reshaping asset creation, testing, and even narrative design.
In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF emphasized its role as a monitor and facilitator of the European game industry ecosystem. The organization pledged to deepen collaboration with studios across the continent, enhance the sector’s visibility on the global stage, and act as a conduit for policy dialogue with European institutions. "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 federation said.
This language underscores a strategic focus on both advocacy and practical support, aiming to ensure that European games not only reach wider audiences but also retain a competitive edge in innovation and quality. The federation’s AI ambition is particularly noteworthy. As the gaming sector often leads the adoption of cutting‑edge computational tools, EGDF intends to embed AI into its operational framework, from internal decision‑making to member services. By doing so, the association hopes to set standards for responsible AI use, provide members with access to AI‑driven analytics, and perhaps develop shared AI resources that can be leveraged by smaller studios lacking in‑house expertise.
Earlier in the week, EGDF partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report highlighted the sector’s robust economic contribution, noting that European games generated €24 billion in turnover during 2024. Moreover, the industry supports over 6,600 studios and employs more than 95,000 individuals across the region.
These figures illustrate the sector’s significance not only as a cultural force but also as a major employer and revenue generator. The insights from the report reinforce the board’s agenda: with such a sizable economic footprint, ensuring that developers have clear pathways to finance, skilled personnel, and cutting‑edge tools becomes essential for sustaining growth. The EGDF’s upcoming initiatives, therefore, are designed to translate macro‑level economic strength into micro‑level opportunities for studios of all sizes—from indie teams to large publishers.
In summary, the re‑elected president Hendrik Lesser, together with a diversified board, will guide the European Games Developer Federation through a strategic period aimed at strengthening the continent’s game development landscape. By focusing on funding accessibility, talent cultivation, skill advancement, and AI integration, the federation seeks to empower European creators to climb higher on the value chain, increase their global footprint, and maintain the region’s reputation as a hotbed of innovative interactive entertainment.