The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue serving as its president, following his successful re‑election, and has unveiled the composition of its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 term. The announcement comes as part of a broader strategic refresh that seeks to strengthen the federation’s role as a catalyst for growth across Europe’s vibrant game‑development ecosystem. In addition to Lesser’s continued leadership, the federation noted the departure of two prominent figures: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games.
Both individuals have contributed significantly to the industry, and their resignations open space for fresh perspectives within the board. The freshly appointed board members bring a diverse mix of experience from across the continent: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, where she has overseen numerous initiatives to boost Dutch game development. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a body that supports Finnish studios through networking, funding advice, and market research. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, known for advocating cultural policy that benefits interactive media.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, a platform that showcases regional talent. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, and a long‑time promoter of indie development in Central Europe. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, the French national union representing video‑game creators and publishers.
These six individuals, together with President Lesser, form a board that reflects a broad geographic spread—from the Benelux region and Scandinavia to the Balkans and France—ensuring that the federation’s policies will consider the varied needs of developers across the EU. The EGDF has laid out a clear agenda for the 2026‑2028 period, centering on three primary objectives: providing developers with a clearer pathway to ascend the value chain, enhancing access to financial resources, and expanding opportunities for talent acquisition and skill development. In practical terms, this means the federation will work on creating more transparent funding mechanisms, establishing mentorship programmes that connect emerging studios with seasoned veterans, and lobbying for educational curricula that incorporate the latest game‑design techniques and technologies. "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 organization stated in its release.
This commitment underscores a dual focus: nurturing the domestic market while also positioning European games as competitive players on the world stage. A noteworthy element of the federation’s forward‑looking plan is its intention to become the first AI‑driven European trade association for the gaming sector. Recognising that the video‑game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—whether for procedural content generation, player‑behavior analytics, or automated testing—the EGDF aims to embed AI into its own operational framework. This could involve using AI to streamline member services, predict market trends, and even assist in policy formulation.
Earlier in the week, the EGDF partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the sector’s economic health, revealing that European game companies generated a total turnover of €24 billion in 2024.
Moreover, the industry now comprises more than 6,600 studios employing upwards of 95,000 professionals across a wide range of roles—from programmers and artists to marketing specialists and community managers. These figures illustrate the sector’s rapid expansion and its importance as a driver of digital innovation and cultural export.
The EGDF’s strategic priorities aim to sustain this momentum by addressing key challenges that developers frequently encounter. Funding remains a critical hurdle, especially for small and medium‑sized enterprises that lack the capital to scale their projects. By advocating for more accessible grant schemes and encouraging private‑sector investment, the federation hopes to lower the entry barrier for ambitious creators.
Talent acquisition is another focal point. Europe’s game‑development talent pool is increasingly competitive, with many skilled professionals being courted by large multinational studios. The EGDF plans to foster a more cohesive talent ecosystem by promoting cross‑border collaborations, supporting apprenticeship programmes, and facilitating knowledge‑sharing events such as conferences and workshops. Skill development, particularly in emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI‑enhanced design tools, will also receive heightened attention.
The federation intends to partner with academic institutions and private training providers to ensure that curricula stay aligned with industry demands, thereby equipping developers with the competencies needed to innovate. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a geographically diverse board signal continuity and renewal for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear roadmap that emphasizes funding accessibility, talent nurturing, and skill advancement—augmented by a pioneering AI‑centric approach—the EGDF is positioning itself to champion the growth of Europe’s game‑development community and to amplify its presence on the global stage.