Hendrik Lesser has been confirmed for a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the federation’s announcement of its new board for the 2026‑2028 period. The leadership reshuffle follows the departure of two prominent members: David Rabineau, chief executive 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 group of senior professionals from across the European gaming ecosystem. The members are: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, representing the interests of Finnish developers and fostering cross‑border collaboration. - **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 blend of commercial strategy and community building.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie creators and organizing industry events. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and advocating for regulatory and funding frameworks. Together, this board is tasked with steering the federation through a period of rapid change and opportunity within the European gaming sector. The EGDF has already outlined a clear agenda for the 2026‑2028 term, centering on three core pillars: creating a clear pathway for developers to ascend the value chain, enhancing access to financial resources, and strengthening the talent pipeline through skills development and education.
In a statement, the federation emphasized its commitment to “monitor and facilitate the development of the European game industry ecosystem, strengthen collaboration with European game development studios, and raise the global visibility of the European gaming sector.” This reflects a strategic shift toward not only supporting existing studios but also positioning Europe as a leading hub for innovative game creation on the world stage. A particularly forward‑looking element of the EGDF’s plan is its focus on artificial intelligence. Recognising that the gaming industry is often at the forefront of adopting AI‑driven tools—ranging from procedural content generation to advanced analytics—the federation has set an ambitious goal to become the first AI‑based European trade association.
This ambition entails integrating AI into the federation’s own operations, providing members with AI resources, and advocating for policies that encourage responsible AI use in game development. The timing of these announcements coincides with the release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a joint effort by the EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE). The report paints a robust picture of the continent’s gaming market, indicating that in 2024 European game companies generated €24 billion in turnover.
The sector now comprises more than 6,600 studios and employs upwards of 95,000 individuals, underscoring its significance as a major economic engine and a source of high‑skill jobs. The report also highlights several trends that are shaping the future of European gaming. First, there is a noticeable shift toward live‑service and multiplayer experiences, which demand continuous content updates and sophisticated backend infrastructure.
Second, the rise of cloud gaming and subscription models is expanding the reach of European titles to a broader, global audience. Third, sustainability and ethical considerations are becoming integral to development pipelines, with studios increasingly adopting green production practices and inclusive design principles. In response to these dynamics, the EGDF’s new board plans to launch a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering the sector’s competitiveness.
These include: 1. **Funding Access Programs** – Working closely with EU cultural funds, national grant agencies, and private investors to create streamlined application processes and co‑funding opportunities for both indie developers and mid‑size studios. 2. **Talent Development Networks** – Partnering with universities, vocational schools, and online learning platforms to design curricula that reflect current industry needs, such as AI integration, data analytics, and cross‑platform development.
3. **Mentorship and Knowledge‑Sharing Platforms** – Establishing a digital hub where experienced creators can mentor emerging teams, share best practices, and provide feedback on prototypes. 4.
**AI Innovation Lab** – Setting up a dedicated lab that offers members access to cutting‑edge AI tools, datasets, and expert consultancy, helping studios experiment with procedural generation, intelligent NPC behaviour, and automated testing. 5. **International Promotion Campaigns** – Coordinating with trade shows, digital festivals, and media outlets to showcase European games abroad, emphasizing the region’s creative diversity and technical excellence. By focusing on these areas, the EGDF hopes to not only sustain the current growth trajectory but also to elevate Europe’s position as a leader in next‑generation game development.
The federation’s emphasis on AI is particularly significant, as it signals a proactive stance toward emerging technologies that could reshape production pipelines, reduce costs, and unlock new creative possibilities. Stakeholders across the continent have welcomed the board’s composition and its strategic roadmap. Industry analysts note that the blend of operational expertise, policy insight, and community advocacy represented on the board should enable more cohesive lobbying efforts at the EU level, potentially unlocking additional funding streams and regulatory support. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, geographically diverse board mark a pivotal moment for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear focus on funding, talent, skill development, and AI integration, the EGDF is poised to guide the European gaming industry through the next phase of expansion, ensuring that developers have the resources and visibility needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.