The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its governing board for the 2026‑2028 term, while also confirming that Hendrik Lesser will continue at the helm as president following his re‑election. Lesser’s renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the European games sector, which is experiencing rapid growth, increasing international competition, and a wave of technological innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence. Two prominent members of the previous board have stepped away from their roles. David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, will no longer serve on the board.
Their departures open space for fresh perspectives and new expertise, which the federation believes will strengthen its strategic direction. The freshly appointed board now includes a diverse group of industry leaders representing a broad geographic spread across Europe: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings a blend of operational experience and policy insight from the Netherlands, a country known for its supportive game development ecosystem.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association. Hiltunen’s background in the Finnish market, which consistently ranks among the top in game innovation, adds valuable Nordic insight. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and member of the Stockholm Region Business Council. Strömbäck’s dual role links cultural initiatives with business development, fostering a holistic view of the industry’s impact.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. Mitic’s experience spans entrepreneurship, regional advocacy, and cross‑border collaboration. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation. Marszalkowski is known for championing indie developers and organizing platforms that showcase emerging talent.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV) in France. Kaplan’s leadership in one of Europe’s largest national game associations provides a strong voice for French developers within the broader European context. Together, these six individuals form a board that reflects the federation’s commitment to inclusivity, regional representation, and a balance between large‑scale studios and independent creators. Their combined expertise is expected to guide EGDF’s strategic initiatives over the next two years, which the organization has already outlined in a detailed agenda.
**Key priorities for 2026‑2028** 1. **Creating a clear pathway up the value chain** – EGDF intends to develop programs and resources that help developers move from early‑stage concepts to fully commercialized products. This includes mentorship schemes, partnership matchmaking, and market‑entry support that enable studios to capture greater value from their creations. 2.
**Improving access to funding** – Recognising that financing remains a critical bottleneck, the federation will work closely with national funding bodies, European Union programmes, and private investors to streamline application processes and increase the visibility of European projects. 3. **Strengthening talent pipelines** – By collaborating with educational institutions, vocational schools, and industry training providers, EGDF aims to address skill shortages in areas such as programming, art, design, and production management.
Initiatives may involve scholarships, apprenticeship networks, and cross‑border talent exchanges. 4.
**Enhancing skill development** – Beyond basic training, the federation plans to offer advanced workshops on emerging technologies, business models, and international publishing strategies, ensuring that European developers stay competitive on a global scale. 5.
**Boosting global visibility** – EGDF will continue to act as an ambassador for the European games sector, promoting success stories, organizing high‑profile events, and engaging with international media to raise the profile of European studios worldwide. 6. **Pioneering AI integration** – Given the rapid adoption of artificial‑intelligence tools in game creation—ranging from procedural content generation to AI‑driven testing—EGDF has set an ambitious goal to become the first AI‑focused European trade association.
This will involve establishing best‑practice guidelines, ethical frameworks, and collaborative research projects that help members harness AI responsibly and effectively. The federation’s statements emphasize that monitoring and facilitating the growth of the European game ecosystem remains a core responsibility.
By strengthening ties with studios across the continent and advocating for favorable policy environments, EGDF hopes to cement Europe’s position as a leading hub for innovative, high‑quality games. In parallel with its board announcement, EGDF, together with Video Games Europe (VGE), released the **European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024**.
The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the sector’s economic impact: in 2024, European game companies generated a total turnover of **€24 billion**, and the industry employed more than **95,000** individuals across **6,600** studios. These figures underscore the sector’s significance as a driver of employment, cultural output, and export revenue.
The data also reveal trends that will shape EGDF’s upcoming initiatives. For instance, the rise of live‑service models, the growing importance of cross‑platform releases, and the increasing demand for inclusive and diverse content are all areas where the federation plans to focus its advocacy and support services.
Moreover, the report highlights the accelerating adoption of AI‑enhanced development pipelines, reinforcing EGDF’s commitment to become a pioneer in AI‑centric trade association work. Looking ahead, the newly formed board will convene regularly to assess progress against these objectives, engage with stakeholders, and adjust strategies as market conditions evolve. Their collective mandate is clear: to ensure that European developers not only survive but thrive in an increasingly competitive global landscape, leveraging funding, talent, and cutting‑edge technology to bring their creative visions to life. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a fresh, geographically diverse board signal a period of renewed energy for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a robust agenda focused on financial access, talent development, AI leadership, and global promotion, EGDF is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Europe’s vibrant game development community.