Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), securing a second term as its president while the organization unveiled its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 period. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent figures: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, both of whom have stepped away from their board responsibilities.
The freshly constituted EGDF board now brings together a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of European gaming bodies. The lineup includes: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, tasked with championing Finnish development talent and fostering cross‑border collaborations. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering insights into cultural policy and regional economic development.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, providing a strong network across Central and Eastern Europe. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for his work in nurturing indie ecosystems and organizing large‑scale industry events.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and advocating for regulatory and funding frameworks at the national level. Together, this cohort is set to steer the federation through a strategic agenda that emphasizes elevating European developers along the value chain. The EGDF has articulated a clear focus on three core pillars for the forthcoming two‑year cycle: expanding financial pathways, enhancing talent pipelines, and sharpening skill development programs. "Our mission is to ensure that creators across Europe have a clear route to the top of the value chain," the federation said in its statement.
"That means not only unlocking new sources of capital but also building the human capital and expertise necessary to compete on a global stage." The organization plans to roll out a suite of initiatives aimed at connecting studios—large and small—with investors, grant schemes, and public‑private partnership models that have proven effective in other creative sectors. In addition to financial and talent concerns, the EGDF is positioning itself as a thought leader in the emerging intersection of gaming and artificial intelligence.
Recognizing that the video‑game sector has historically been a testing ground for AI‑driven tools—from procedural content generation to adaptive player‑behavior analytics—the federation announced an ambitious goal: to become the first AI‑focused European trade association for the industry. This will involve establishing working groups, publishing best‑practice guidelines, and collaborating with research institutions to ensure that AI adoption enhances creativity while respecting ethical standards and data privacy. The federation also highlighted its commitment to boosting the global visibility of European games.
By strengthening ties with development studios across the continent, facilitating knowledge exchange, and promoting European titles at major international showcases, EGDF aims to raise the profile of European creators in markets traditionally dominated by North American and Asian publishers. A recent collaborative effort underscored the federation’s analytical capabilities. Earlier this week, EGDF partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the "European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024." The report painted a robust picture of the sector’s economic health, revealing that European game companies generated approximately €24 billion in revenue during 2024. Moreover, the industry now encompasses more than 6,600 studios, collectively employing over 95,000 individuals across a wide array of roles—from programming and design to marketing and community management.
These figures illustrate not only the scale of the European market but also its capacity for continued growth. The EGDF interprets this data as a mandate to further invest in infrastructure that supports both established studios and emerging indie developers. Initiatives under consideration include mentorship programs that pair seasoned veterans with up‑and‑coming talent, regional incubators that provide co‑working spaces and technical resources, and a streamlined grant application process that reduces administrative overhead for small teams.
Looking ahead, the board’s diverse composition is expected to facilitate a more inclusive approach to policy advocacy. By drawing on perspectives from the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Croatia, Poland, and France, the federation aims to craft recommendations that reflect the varied regulatory environments and cultural contexts within Europe. This collaborative stance is intended to influence EU‑level legislation on issues such as digital taxation, cross‑border data flows, and intellectual‑property protection, all of which have direct implications for game developers.
In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, multinational board signal a period of renewed ambition for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear roadmap that blends financial support, talent development, AI innovation, and international promotion, EGDF is poised to strengthen the European gaming ecosystem and ensure that its creators remain competitive and visible on the world stage.