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 introduced its new board for the 2026‑2028 period. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent members: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, both of whom have stepped down from their board positions. The refreshed EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from key European gaming bodies: - **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 game advocacy.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a pivotal figure in fostering Finland’s vibrant indie and mid‑size development scene. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and member of the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering insight 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 connection to the Balkans’ emerging market.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing Polish indie talent on the global stage. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the interests of French developers and publishers.
The federation’s strategic agenda for the upcoming biennium centers on creating a clear "route to the top of the value chain" for European game creators. This vision translates into concrete initiatives aimed at improving developers’ access to three core pillars: funding, talent, and skills development.
**Funding pathways** will be expanded through closer collaboration with national grant agencies, European Union cultural funds, and private investment networks. EGDF plans to launch a centralized portal where studios can discover and apply for financing opportunities tailored to their size and project scope.
By streamlining the application process and providing mentorship on pitch preparation, the federation hopes to lower barriers for emerging studios seeking capital. **Talent acquisition** will be addressed by forging stronger links between educational institutions, vocational training programs, and industry employers.
The board intends to host a series of regional talent fairs and virtual matchmaking events, allowing developers to meet prospective hires ranging from programmers and artists to sound designers and narrative writers. Additionally, EGDF will work with universities to embed game‑development curricula that reflect current industry standards, ensuring graduates are job‑ready from day one.
**Skills enhancement** will be a priority through the rollout of workshops, masterclasses, and certification schemes covering emerging technologies such as real‑time ray tracing, cloud‑based multiplayer architectures, and, notably, artificial intelligence. Recognising that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of AI innovation, the federation has set an ambitious target to become the first AI‑driven European trade association.
This entails integrating AI tools into its own operations—such as using predictive analytics to forecast market trends—and offering members guidance on responsibly incorporating AI into game design, production pipelines, and player‑experience personalization. In a statement, EGDF emphasized its commitment to monitoring and nurturing the European game‑industry ecosystem. "We will continue to facilitate collaboration among studios across the continent, amplify the sector’s visibility on the world stage, and act as a catalyst for sustainable growth," the organization declared. The federation also highlighted its intention to strengthen partnerships with European game‑development studios, ensuring that policy advocacy reflects the real‑world challenges faced by creators of all scales.
The timing of the board’s formation 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 landscape, noting that the industry generated €24 billion in turnover during 2024. Moreover, more than 6,600 studios were active across Europe, collectively employing upwards of 95,000 individuals.
These figures underscore the sector’s economic significance and its role as a major employer of creative and technical talent. Looking ahead, the EGDF board plans to leverage these data points to advocate for favorable regulatory frameworks, tax incentives, and cross‑border trade agreements that benefit developers.
By positioning Europe as a hub for innovative, high‑quality games, the federation aims to attract both domestic and foreign investment, fostering a virtuous cycle of growth. In summary, the re‑elected president Hendrik Lesser, together with a newly appointed board representing a broad cross‑section of the European gaming community, will steer EGDF through a period of strategic expansion.
Their focus on funding accessibility, talent pipelines, skill development, and AI integration is designed to empower studios to climb the value chain, enhance competitiveness, and secure a stronger foothold in the global market. The federation’s ongoing collaboration with bodies like VGE and its data‑driven advocacy promise to keep Europe at the forefront of the ever‑evolving video‑game industry.