The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue his tenure as president, having been re‑elected by the federation’s members. In tandem with this leadership continuity, the organization has unveiled its new board of directors for the 2026‑2028 term, signalling a fresh strategic direction for the continent’s game‑development community. Two notable figures stepped away from their board responsibilities: David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio.
Their departures open space for a refreshed lineup of industry veterans and emerging leaders who bring a blend of operational expertise, policy insight, and creative vision. The newly constituted EGDF board now includes: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association.
Spaans brings a strong background in both studio management 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’s experience with Finland’s vibrant indie scene equips the board with a deep understanding of how small studios can scale while retaining creative autonomy. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council. Strömbäck’s dual focus on cultural policy and regional economic development adds a valuable perspective on how games can serve as cultural exports and drivers of local economies. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia.
Mitic’s entrepreneurial track record and his work fostering cross‑border collaboration in the Balkans enhance EGDF’s reach into emerging markets. - **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 talent and creating platforms that connect Polish developers with international investors and publishers.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV) in France. Kaplan’s leadership within one of Europe’s largest national game associations brings a strong voice on regulatory matters, workforce development, and market access. Together, this diverse group is tasked with implementing EGDF’s two‑year agenda, which centers on providing developers with a clearer pathway to the upper echelons of the value chain.
The federation emphasizes three core pillars: enhanced funding mechanisms, improved talent pipelines, and the cultivation of advanced skill sets across the industry. **Funding Access** – EGDF plans to negotiate with both public and private financiers to create more transparent, accessible grant programmes and investment funds tailored to the unique cycles of game development. By simplifying application procedures and offering mentorship throughout the funding lifecycle, the federation hopes to reduce the financial friction that often stalls promising projects.
**Talent Development** – Recognising the acute shortage of specialised skills—ranging from narrative design to real‑time rendering—EGDF will partner with educational institutions, vocational schools, and online learning platforms to expand curricula that align with industry needs. Initiatives such as apprenticeship schemes, cross‑border exchange programmes, and mentorship networks are slated to connect seasoned professionals with emerging creators. **Skill Enhancement** – Beyond formal education, the board intends to host workshops, hackathons, and master‑class series that focus on emerging technologies, production pipelines, and business acumen.
These events aim to up‑skill developers in areas like user‑experience research, live‑ops management, and post‑launch monetisation strategies. The federation’s public statement underscored its commitment to monitoring and facilitating the growth of Europe’s game‑industry ecosystem.
"The EGDF will continue to track industry trends, support collaboration among European studios, and raise the global profile of European games," the organization said. This includes fostering stronger ties with policymakers to ensure that regulatory environments remain conducive to innovation while protecting consumer interests.
A particularly forward‑looking component of EGDF’s strategy is its ambition to become the first AI‑focused European trade association within the gaming sector. As artificial intelligence increasingly permeates game design—through procedural content generation, adaptive storytelling, and advanced testing tools—the federation sees an opportunity to lead the conversation on ethical AI use, standards, and best practices.
By establishing an AI‑centric working group, EGDF aims to provide members with guidelines, resources, and networking opportunities that accelerate the responsible integration of AI technologies. In parallel with these internal initiatives, EGDF recently collaborated with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report highlighted that the continent’s gaming market generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024, a figure that reflects both the maturity of established studios and the rapid expansion of indie developers.
Moreover, the industry employed over 95 000 individuals across more than 6 600 studios, illustrating the sector’s significance as a major employer and economic driver. These statistics reinforce EGDF’s rationale for focusing on talent and funding: a thriving workforce and robust financial pipelines are essential to sustain growth and maintain Europe’s competitive edge on the world stage. The federation’s agenda, therefore, is not merely aspirational but grounded in concrete data that demonstrates the sector’s scale and potential.
Looking ahead, the board plans to convene regular stakeholder meetings, publish quarterly progress updates, and launch a series of pilot programmes that test innovative funding models and skill‑development frameworks. By doing so, EGDF aims to create a feedback loop where developers can share challenges, successes, and emerging needs, allowing the federation to adapt its strategies in real time. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a dynamic, internationally diverse board mark a pivotal moment for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear focus on financing, talent cultivation, and AI integration, the organization is poised to strengthen Europe’s game‑development landscape, enhance its global visibility, and ensure that creators across the continent have the resources and support needed to bring their visions to life.