The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 term and announced that Hendrik Lesser has been re‑elected to continue as its president. Lesser’s renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the European gaming sector, which is seeking to strengthen its position both within the continent and on the global stage. Two prominent figures stepped away from the board this cycle: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the studio No Brakes Games.
Their departures open space for fresh perspectives and expertise to guide the federation’s strategic direction. The newly appointed board members are: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, offering insight into the Nordic development ecosystem and its growing export potential. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a blend of cultural policy knowledge and regional economic development expertise. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, giving him a strong foothold in Central and Eastern European market dynamics. - **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 fostering networking opportunities across the continent.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and bringing a deep understanding of regulatory and labor issues within the EU. Together, this diverse group is tasked with executing EGDF’s two‑year agenda, which centers on creating a clearer pathway for developers to ascend the value chain. The federation intends to improve access to crucial resources such as capital, skilled personnel, and advanced training programs.
By doing so, it hopes to reduce the friction that many smaller studios encounter when trying to scale up or enter new markets. In a formal statement, EGDF emphasized its commitment to monitoring and facilitating the growth of Europe’s game‑development ecosystem. The organization plans to deepen collaboration with studios across the continent, ensuring that best practices, technological innovations, and market intelligence are shared more effectively. Additionally, EGDF aims to amplify the global visibility of European games, positioning the region as a hub of creativity and technical excellence.
A notable element of the federation’s forward‑looking strategy is its focus on artificial intelligence. Recognizing that the gaming industry often leads the adoption of AI‑driven tools—from procedural content generation to player‑behavior analytics—EGDF has set an ambitious target: to become the first AI‑centric trade association for the European market. This initiative will involve establishing standards, offering educational resources, and fostering partnerships with AI research institutions to ensure that developers can leverage these technologies 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 sector’s economic health, noting that European game companies generated approximately €24 billion in revenue during 2024. Moreover, the industry supports more than 6,600 studios and employs upwards of 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles, from programming and art design to marketing and community management. These figures underscore the sector’s significance as a driver of employment and innovation within the EU.
They also highlight the potential impact of EGDF’s upcoming initiatives. By improving funding mechanisms—such as facilitating access to national grants, EU cultural funds, and private investment—developers will be better equipped to fund ambitious projects and sustain long‑term growth. Talent development is another pillar of the federation’s plan.
EGDF intends to collaborate with educational institutions, vocational training providers, and industry mentors to create pipelines that nurture the next generation of game creators. This could include scholarship programs, apprenticeship schemes, and specialized workshops that address emerging skill sets like AI integration, cross‑platform development, and immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. Finally, the emphasis on skill enhancement will extend beyond technical abilities. The federation recognizes the importance of business acumen, marketing expertise, and international licensing knowledge for studios aiming to compete on a global scale.
Consequently, EGDF is exploring the creation of a knowledge hub where best‑practice case studies, legal guidance, and market entry strategies are readily accessible to members. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a refreshed board signal continuity and renewal for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear agenda that blends financial support, talent cultivation, and cutting‑edge AI adoption, EGDF is positioning itself to help European developers not only survive but thrive in an increasingly competitive and technologically advanced global market.