The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue at the helm as its president, following his successful re‑election during the unveiling of the federation’s 2026‑2028 governing board. Lesser’s renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the European gaming sector, which is experiencing rapid growth, heightened competition, and an accelerating integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Two notable departures were also announced alongside the new board composition. David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, the studio director of No Brakes Games, have both stepped down from their positions within the EGDF. Their exits open space for fresh perspectives and new expertise to guide the federation’s strategic direction. The freshly appointed board members bring a diverse blend of industry experience, regional representation, and cross‑disciplinary knowledge: - **Martine Spaans** – currently serving as Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and also holding the role of General Manager at the Dutch Games Association.
Her dual responsibilities give her insight into both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – director of the Neogames Finland Association, where she has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among Finnish developers and promoting Finland’s reputation as a hub for innovative game design.
- **Per Strömbäck** – a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and a participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a bridge between cultural policy and commercial interests in the Swedish market. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. His background combines business growth strategies with grassroots community building in Southeast Europe.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – leader of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, bringing expertise in event organization, indie support, and cross‑border networking. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – director general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the interests of French developers and contributing a strong voice on policy, funding, and market access. Together, this board is tasked with executing the EGDF’s two‑year agenda, which is centred on three core pillars: enhancing developers’ pathways to higher value‑chain positions, expanding access to financial resources, and strengthening talent pipelines and skill development programmes across Europe. The federation’s statement emphasised that it will continue to act as a watchdog and facilitator for the European game‑development ecosystem.
By monitoring market trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements, the EGDF aims to create a more cohesive and competitive environment for studios of all sizes. The organization also highlighted its commitment to boosting the global visibility of European games, positioning the continent as a leading source of creative and technical excellence on the world stage. A particularly forward‑looking element of the EGDF’s strategy is its ambition to become the first AI‑focused European trade association within the gaming sector. Recognising that the video‑game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to player‑behavior analytics—the federation intends to champion responsible AI integration, develop best‑practice guidelines, and facilitate knowledge‑sharing among members.
In parallel with these governance updates, the EGDF, in cooperation with Video Games Europe (VGE), released the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024 earlier in the week. The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the continent’s economic impact, noting that European game companies collectively generated €24 billion in revenue during 2024. The sector is supported by more than 6,600 studios, which together employ over 95,000 professionals across a wide range of disciplines, including design, programming, art, sound, marketing, and business development. These figures underscore the importance of the EGDF’s mission.
With a market size comparable to many traditional industries, the European gaming landscape requires coordinated advocacy, robust funding mechanisms, and continuous skill‑upgrading to sustain its momentum. The federation plans to work closely with national game associations, educational institutions, and private investors to create grant programmes, mentorship schemes, and training initiatives that address skill gaps and foster innovation. Moreover, the board intends to leverage its pan‑European network to facilitate cross‑border collaborations.
By organising matchmaking events, joint development projects, and shared research programmes, the EGDF hopes to enable smaller studios to access larger markets, share technology, and benefit from economies of scale. This collaborative approach is expected to help European developers climb the value chain—from indie creators to producers of AAA‑level titles—thereby increasing the overall competitiveness of the region. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, geographically diverse board signal a renewed commitment to nurturing Europe’s vibrant game‑development community. Through targeted funding pathways, talent development, AI integration, and heightened international exposure, the EGDF aims to solidify Europe’s position as a global leader in interactive entertainment for the years ahead.