The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue at the helm as its president, following his recent re‑election. This leadership decision coincides with the federation’s public announcement of the composition of its 2026‑2028 governing board, marking a new chapter for the organization as it prepares to steer the European game development sector through a period of rapid change and growth. Two notable departures were announced alongside the new board line‑up. David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the studio No Brakes Games, have both stepped down from their previous roles within the federation.
Their exits open space for fresh perspectives and renewed energy among the federation’s leadership. The freshly appointed board members bring a diverse blend of experience from across the continent’s gaming ecosystem: - **Martine Spaans** – currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holding the position of General Manager at the Dutch Games Association, Spaans brings operational expertise and a deep understanding of the Dutch market.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – director of the Neogames Finland Association, Hiltunen is well‑versed in the Finnish development scene and its unique challenges. - **Per Strömbäck** – a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and a participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, Strömbäck adds cultural and business insight from Sweden’s capital region. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, Mitic offers a broad view of Central and Eastern European development networks. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – leading the Games Industry Conference and co‑founding the Indie Games Poland Foundation, where he also serves on the board, Marszalkowski contributes event‑driven knowledge and a focus on indie creators.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – director‑general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, Kaplan provides a French perspective and a strong background in advocacy for the national video‑game sector. Together, this board is tasked with executing EGDF’s strategic agenda for the 2026‑2028 period. Central to that agenda is the promise to give developers "a route to the top of the value chain," a phrase that underscores the federation’s commitment to helping creators move beyond early‑stage development and secure a stronger foothold in publishing, distribution, and monetisation. The board plans to achieve this by improving access to three critical resources: funding, talent, and specialised skills.
**Funding pathways** – The EGDF intends to act as a conduit between developers and a range of financing options, from public grants and EU‑backed cultural programmes to private investment and venture capital. By mapping out clearer routes to capital, the federation hopes to reduce the financial bottlenecks that often stall promising projects, especially for smaller studios that lack the connections of larger publishers.
**Talent pipelines** – Recognising that the industry’s growth is only as strong as its workforce, the federation will expand collaborations with educational institutions, vocational training providers, and mentorship schemes. Initiatives may include joint apprenticeship programmes, scholarship funds for game‑design students, and cross‑border talent exchanges that enable developers to tap into a broader pool of skilled professionals. **Skill development** – In addition to raw talent, the EGDF will focus on upskilling existing developers in emerging technologies, production methodologies, and business practices.
Workshops, webinars, and certification courses are slated to cover topics such as advanced game‑engine optimisation, live‑ops management, and international market entry strategies. The federation also reaffirmed its broader mission to monitor and nurture the European game‑industry ecosystem. In a statement, EGDF highlighted its intent to deepen collaboration with studios across the continent, foster stronger ties with policy makers, and elevate the global profile of European games. The organization sees itself as a bridge between creators and the wider cultural and economic landscape, ensuring that European titles receive the recognition and market access they deserve.
A particularly forward‑looking element of the EGDF’s roadmap is its ambition to become the first AI‑centric European trade association for games. The federation acknowledges that the gaming sector is at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—from procedural content generation and intelligent testing pipelines to AI‑driven player analytics. By positioning itself as an AI‑focused body, EGDF aims to guide members through ethical considerations, regulatory compliance, and best‑practice implementation of AI technologies, ensuring that European developers can leverage these tools responsibly and competitively. 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 market, noting that in 2024 the industry generated approximately €24 billion in turnover. Moreover, the sector comprises more than 6,600 studios employing upwards of 95,000 individuals, underscoring its significance as a major economic driver and cultural force within Europe. These figures not only highlight the sector’s current vitality but also reinforce the importance of the EGDF’s upcoming initiatives. By improving funding access, nurturing talent pipelines, and championing AI integration, the federation hopes to sustain and accelerate the growth trajectory evidenced by the report’s data.
The organization’s leadership believes that a coordinated, well‑supported European game‑development community can compete more effectively on the global stage, attract further investment, and continue to produce innovative, culturally resonant titles. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a geographically diverse, experienced board signal a renewed commitment to the European gaming ecosystem. Over the next two years, EGDF will concentrate on building clearer pathways to capital, expanding talent development programmes, and fostering AI‑driven innovation—all while advocating for the industry’s visibility and influence worldwide. The federation’s strategic focus aims to empower developers of all sizes to ascend the value chain, secure sustainable growth, and cement Europe’s reputation as a hub of creative and technological excellence in interactive entertainment.