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 its new board for the 2026‑2028 period. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent members: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, who have both stepped down from their board positions. The freshly assembled EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from key European gaming bodies: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing a blend of operational expertise 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 insights 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 strong entrepreneurial and cross‑border networking perspective. - **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 sector support. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and contributing a deep understanding of labour and regulatory matters.
Together, this board is set to steer EGDF through a strategic agenda that emphasizes moving European developers higher up the value chain. The federation’s roadmap for the 2026‑2028 term highlights three core pillars: enhancing access to financial resources, strengthening talent pipelines, and expanding skill‑building opportunities across the continent. "Our mission is to ensure that European studios have a clear and viable route to the top of the value chain," the EGDF stated in its official release. "By improving funding mechanisms, nurturing talent, and delivering targeted training, we aim to create an ecosystem where creators can focus on innovation rather than administrative hurdles." In addition to these practical objectives, the EGDF underscored its commitment to monitoring and fostering the broader European game‑industry ecosystem.
The federation plans to deepen collaboration with studios of all sizes, from indie teams to large multinational publishers, and to amplify the global visibility of European games. This includes coordinated lobbying efforts, joint marketing campaigns, and participation in international trade shows. A particularly forward‑looking element of the agenda is the federation’s ambition to become the first AI‑centric European trade association within the gaming sector. Recognising that the industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—from procedural content generation to advanced analytics—the EGDF aims to set standards, share best practices, and advocate for responsible AI use among its members.
The timing of the board announcement 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 market, revealing that European developers generated €24 billion in turnover during 2024. Moreover, the sector now supports more than 6,600 studios and employs over 95,000 professionals, indicating both breadth and depth of activity across the region. These figures underscore the importance of the federation’s new strategic focus.
With a market of this magnitude, ensuring that developers can access capital—whether through public grants, private investment, or cross‑border funding programmes—is essential for sustaining growth. The EGDF intends to act as an intermediary, helping studios navigate complex funding landscapes and connect with potential investors.
Talent development is another critical component. The federation plans to launch a series of mentorship schemes, apprenticeship programmes, and educational partnerships with universities and technical schools. By aligning curricula with industry needs, EGDF hopes to close the skills gap that many studios cite as a barrier to scaling their operations.
Skill‑building initiatives will also be expanded through workshops, webinars, and certification courses focused on emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and, notably, AI‑driven development tools. These offerings aim to equip creators with the technical know‑how required to compete on a global stage. Overall, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the composition of the new board signal continuity combined with fresh perspectives.
Lesser’s experience, coupled with the board members’ varied backgrounds—from Finnish association leadership to French labour representation—positions EGDF to act as a unifying voice for European game developers. As the federation moves forward, its dual emphasis on practical support (funding, talent, skills) and strategic innovation (AI adoption, global advocacy) reflects a comprehensive approach to strengthening the European gaming ecosystem. Stakeholders across the continent will be watching closely to see how these initiatives translate into tangible outcomes for studios, creators, and the broader economy in the years ahead.