Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to steer the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) as its president, coinciding with the federation’s announcement of the new board that will serve from 2026 through 2028. The leadership change follows the departure of two prominent figures in the European gaming community: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, both of whom have stepped down from their board positions. The freshly constituted EGDF board now brings together a diverse mix of executives, association leaders, and industry advocates from across the continent.
The members are: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing operational expertise and a deep understanding of the Dutch gaming ecosystem. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, representing the interests of Finnish developers and fostering collaboration within the Nordic region.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering 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, providing a strategic perspective on Central‑Eastern European markets.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, adding experience in event organization and indie game advocacy. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and ensuring that the federation’s actions align with broader European cultural objectives. Together, this board is tasked with executing the EGDF’s two‑year strategic agenda, which places a strong emphasis on creating a clear “route to the top of the value chain” for European game creators. In practical terms, this means the federation will work to improve developers’ access to three critical resources: funding, talent, and skills development.
**Funding pathways** will be expanded through closer collaboration with public and private investors, the establishment of grant programmes tailored to different stages of game production, and the promotion of cross‑border financing mechanisms that enable studios to tap into a wider pool of capital. The EGDF intends to act as an intermediary, helping developers navigate complex funding landscapes, from national cultural funds to European Union innovation grants. **Talent acquisition** will be addressed by building stronger links between educational institutions, vocational training providers, and the industry itself. The federation plans to launch mentorship schemes, apprenticeship programmes, and talent‑exchange initiatives that allow studios to attract and retain skilled professionals, from programmers and artists to designers and producers.
By highlighting successful career pathways and showcasing the vibrant European game development community, EGDF hopes to make the continent a magnet for both emerging and experienced talent. **Skills development** will be a cornerstone of the agenda, with a focus on upskilling existing workforces to meet the rapid technological changes shaping the sector. Workshops, master‑classes, and certification programmes will be organized in partnership with universities, research labs, and technology providers. Topics will range from advanced graphics programming and narrative design to emerging fields such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and, notably, artificial intelligence.
The federation’s statement underscores its commitment to monitoring and facilitating the growth of the European game industry ecosystem. It pledges to strengthen cooperation with game development studios across the continent, enhance the sector’s visibility on the global stage, and act as a unifying voice in policy discussions at both the EU and national levels. A particularly forward‑looking element of the EGDF’s plan is its ambition to become the first AI‑focused European trade association within the gaming sector. Recognising that the industry is a leading adopter of AI‑driven tools—whether for procedural content generation, player behaviour analytics, or automated testing—the federation aims to develop standards, best‑practice guidelines, and educational resources that help developers harness AI responsibly and effectively.
This initiative positions EGDF as a pioneer in shaping how AI will be integrated into game creation, distribution, and player experience across Europe. In parallel with these strategic moves, 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 market’s health and trajectory. According to its findings, the European games industry generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024, reflecting robust consumer demand and a thriving ecosystem of publishers, developers, and service providers.
The sector is supported by more than 6,600 studios, which collectively employ over 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles, from creative and technical positions to marketing, sales, and administrative functions. These figures illustrate the substantial economic impact of gaming in Europe and reinforce the importance of the EGDF’s mission to nurture and expand this growth.
By delivering targeted support in financing, talent pipelines, and skill enhancement, and by championing AI innovation, the federation aims to ensure that European developers not only compete but lead on the world stage. Looking ahead, the board’s diverse expertise and the federation’s clear strategic focus suggest a period of dynamic development for the European gaming community. Stakeholders can anticipate new funding opportunities, expanded training programmes, and a collaborative environment that encourages cross‑border partnerships. As AI continues to reshape creative workflows, EGDF’s pioneering stance may set industry standards that other regions will look to emulate.
In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser as president and the appointment of a new, geographically and functionally varied board mark a pivotal moment for the European Games Developer Federation. With a two‑year roadmap centred on financial access, talent cultivation, skill development, and AI leadership, the organization is poised to drive sustainable growth, elevate the global profile of European games, and cement the continent’s reputation as a hub of innovation and creative excellence.