The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed its leadership lineup for the 2026‑2028 term, with Hendrik Lesser once again taking the helm as president. Lesser’s re‑election comes alongside a refreshed board that replaces two departing members: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games. The new roster brings together a diverse group of senior professionals from across the continent, each representing a different facet of the European gaming ecosystem.
The updated EGDF board now includes: - **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, positioning her to bridge the gap between independent developers and larger market players. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association.
Hiltunen has been instrumental in shaping Finland’s vibrant indie scene and will likely champion policies that support small‑to‑medium enterprises seeking international exposure. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council. Strömbäck’s background in cultural initiatives and regional economic development equips him to promote gaming as a key cultural export. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia.
Mitic’s multi‑role involvement in Croatia’s growing game sector gives him a unique perspective on cross‑border collaboration and market entry strategies. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation. Marszalkowski is known for organizing large‑scale industry events that foster networking and knowledge sharing among developers, investors, and policymakers.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, the French national video‑game union. Kaplan’s expertise in labour relations and collective bargaining will be valuable for addressing workforce challenges across Europe.
Together, this board is tasked with executing EGDF’s two‑year strategic agenda, which centers on creating a clearer "route to the top of the value chain" for European game creators. The federation aims to streamline access to essential resources such as capital, skilled talent pools, and advanced training programmes.
By doing so, EGDF hopes to elevate the competitive standing of European studios on the global stage and ensure that home‑grown talent can thrive without needing to relocate abroad. In a formal statement, EGDF emphasized its commitment to monitoring the health of the European game‑industry ecosystem, fostering deeper cooperation with studios of all sizes, and boosting the sector’s visibility worldwide. The organization highlighted several concrete actions it plans to undertake: 1.
**Funding Pathways** – Working closely with EU cultural funds, national grant bodies, and private investors to simplify application processes and increase the amount of capital available to developers at every stage, from early prototyping to full‑scale launch. 2. **Talent Development** – Partnering with universities, vocational schools, and specialised bootcamps to create curricula that reflect current industry needs, while also facilitating mentorship programmes that connect seasoned veterans with emerging creators. 3.
**Skill‑Sharing Networks** – Establishing pan‑European hubs where studios can exchange best practices on topics such as user‑experience design, live‑ops management, and multilingual localisation, thereby reducing duplication of effort and accelerating innovation. 4.
**AI Integration** – Recognising that the gaming sector is a leading adopter of artificial‑intelligence tools, EGDF has set an ambitious target to become the first AI‑driven European trade association. This will involve deploying AI for data analytics, policy forecasting, and member‑service automation, ensuring the federation remains at the forefront of technological advancement. The timing of these initiatives 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 continent’s gaming market, noting that in 2024 European studios generated a turnover of €24 billion.
More than 6,600 development studios were active, collectively employing upwards of 95,000 individuals across a wide range of disciplines, from programming and art to marketing and community management. These figures underscore the sector’s significance as both an economic driver and a cultural force.
However, the report also flags challenges, such as the need for greater investment in cutting‑edge technologies, the difficulty of attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive global labour market, and the regulatory complexities that can hinder cross‑border collaboration. By addressing these pain points, EGDF hopes to solidify Europe’s reputation as a hub of creativity and technical excellence.
The federation’s renewed focus on AI is particularly noteworthy; as generative AI tools become more prevalent in game design, narrative generation, and quality assurance, a coordinated European response could set standards that benefit both creators and consumers. In summary, the re‑elected leadership and newly appointed board members signal a forward‑looking, collaborative approach for the European Games Developer Federation. Their combined expertise spans operational management, policy advocacy, event organisation, and AI innovation, positioning EGDF to deliver on its promise of better funding access, stronger talent pipelines, and enhanced industry visibility.
As the sector continues to grow—evidenced by the €24 billion turnover and the employment of nearly 100,000 professionals—these strategic efforts will be crucial in ensuring that European game developers not only compete but lead in the global marketplace.