The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue in his role as president for another term, coinciding with the unveiling of the federation’s new board of directors for the 2026‑2028 period. Lesser’s re‑election signals continuity in leadership at a time when the European game‑development sector is seeking to strengthen its position both within the continent and on the global stage. Two prominent figures from the industry stepped away from the board this cycle.
David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, the studio director at No Brakes Games, both announced their departures. Their exits make room for a fresh set of voices that will guide EGDF’s strategic direction over the next two years.
The newly constituted board now includes a diverse group of professionals representing a wide cross‑section of the European gaming ecosystem: - **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 scene and its unique funding models.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a bridge between cultural policy and commercial interests. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, giving him a deep understanding of emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, representing the indie sector and its growing influence.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, bringing a French perspective on regulatory issues and talent development. Together, this board is tasked with implementing EGDF’s agenda for the 2026‑2028 term. Central to that agenda is the ambition to provide developers with "a route to the top of the value chain," a phrase that captures the federation’s intent to help creators move beyond early‑stage development into higher‑value activities such as publishing, international distribution, and the exploitation of intellectual property. To achieve this, EGDF plans to focus on three main pillars: enhanced funding pathways, improved access to skilled talent, and expanded opportunities for professional upskilling.
**Funding Access** The federation intends to act as an intermediary between developers and a variety of financing sources, including EU cultural funds, national grant schemes, and private investment pools. By mapping out the complex landscape of subsidies and venture capital options, EGDF hopes to simplify the application process for studios of all sizes, from fledgling indie teams to mid‑scale enterprises seeking to scale up. The board will also explore the creation of a joint European game‑development fund that could pool resources from multiple member states, thereby increasing the overall pool of capital available to innovators across the continent. **Talent and Skills Development** Addressing the talent shortage that many European studios have reported, EGDF will launch a series of initiatives aimed at both attracting new entrants to the industry and upskilling existing professionals.
These initiatives include partnerships with universities and technical schools to embed game‑development curricula, mentorship programs that pair seasoned veterans with emerging creators, and a suite of online courses covering emerging technologies such as real‑time rendering, cloud‑based multiplayer architecture, and, importantly, artificial intelligence applications in game design. **AI Integration and Leadership** Recognising that the gaming sector is at the forefront of AI adoption—whether through procedural content generation, player‑behavior analytics, or advanced testing tools—EGDF has set an ambitious goal to become the first AI‑focused European trade association. This will involve establishing an AI advisory board, publishing best‑practice guidelines for ethical AI use, and facilitating collaborations between game studios and AI research institutions.
By positioning itself as a thought leader in this space, EGDF hopes to ensure that European developers can leverage AI responsibly while maintaining creative control. The federation also reaffirmed its broader mission of monitoring and nurturing the European game‑industry ecosystem. In a statement, EGDF highlighted its commitment to deepening collaboration with studios across the continent, fostering cross‑border partnerships, and amplifying the global visibility of European games. The organization believes that a coordinated, well‑networked industry can better compete with dominant markets in North America and Asia, and can more effectively promote European cultural narratives through interactive media.
In addition to internal strategic work, EGDF recently collaborated 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 impact, noting that European game companies generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024.
Moreover, the industry employed over 95 000 individuals across more than 6 600 studios, underscoring its significance as a major employer and driver of technological innovation within the European economy. These figures illustrate the scale of the market that EGDF is tasked with supporting. By channeling resources toward funding mechanisms, talent pipelines, and AI integration, the federation aims to sustain growth, encourage diversification, and ensure that European developers can capture a larger share of the global value chain. The board’s diverse composition—spanning the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Croatia, Poland, and France—reflects a commitment to representing a broad spectrum of regional interests and expertise.
Looking ahead, EGDF’s leadership envisions a European gaming landscape where studios of all sizes can thrive, where cross‑national collaboration becomes the norm, and where the continent’s cultural output is recognised as a benchmark for creativity and technological excellence. The re‑election of Hendrik Lesser provides continuity, while the infusion of new board members promises fresh perspectives and renewed energy to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In summary, the European Games Developer Federation’s 2026‑2028 board, under the steady guidance of President Hendrik Lesser, is set to champion a strategic agenda focused on funding access, talent development, and AI leadership. By doing so, the federation hopes to elevate the European game‑development sector, enhance its global competitiveness, and reinforce its role as a key contributor to Europe’s digital economy.