The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue to serve as its president, following a successful re‑election, as the organisation unveiled its new board of directors for the 2026‑2028 term. Lesser’s continued leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the European game‑development sector, which is seeking to strengthen its infrastructure, broaden its access to capital, and enhance the skill sets of its workforce. Two notable departures were announced alongside the board refresh.
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 board positions. Their exits make way for a fresh cohort of industry representatives who bring a blend of experience from game production, policy advocacy, and business development.
The newly constituted EGDF board now includes: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings a deep understanding of the Dutch gaming ecosystem and a track record of fostering collaboration between studios and public institutions. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, offering insight into the Nordic development scene and its strong emphasis on innovative design and sustainable business models. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and member of the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a bridge between cultural policy and commercial growth in Sweden.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, giving him a multifaceted perspective on Eastern‑European market dynamics and startup support. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie developers and organising large‑scale industry events.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and advocating for regulatory frameworks that benefit creative enterprises. Together, this diverse group is set to steer EGDF’s strategic agenda for the coming biennium.
The federation has articulated a clear focus on creating a "route to the top of the value chain" for European developers. In practical terms, this means building mechanisms that allow studios—whether emerging indie teams or established mid‑size firms—to move beyond basic production and into higher‑margin activities such as publishing, IP licensing, and global distribution.
Key pillars of the agenda include: 1. **Enhanced Funding Pathways** – EGDF plans to negotiate with national and EU‑level funding bodies to streamline grant applications, introduce co‑investment schemes, and promote venture‑capital networks that are attuned to the unique risk profile of game development. 2.
**Talent Development and Mobility** – By partnering with educational institutions, vocational schools, and online training platforms, the federation aims to create a continent‑wide talent pipeline. Initiatives will focus on up‑skilling existing professionals in areas such as AI integration, immersive technology, and live‑ops management, while also facilitating cross‑border mobility for creators.
3. **Skill‑Sharing and Best‑Practice Hubs** – EGDF intends to launch a series of regional workshops and digital forums where developers can exchange knowledge on topics ranging from sustainable production pipelines to effective community engagement.
4. **AI Integration Leadership** – Recognising that the gaming sector is at the forefront of artificial‑intelligence application—whether in procedural content generation, player‑behavior analytics, or automated testing—the federation has set an ambitious goal to become the first AI‑driven European trade association. This will involve deploying AI tools internally to optimise member services, as well as advocating for responsible AI standards across the industry. In a statement released by EGDF, the organization highlighted its commitment to monitoring and facilitating the growth of the European game‑industry ecosystem.
"We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with studios across the continent, amplify the global visibility of European games, and ensure that our members have the resources they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive market," the statement read. The federation’s forward‑looking approach is underscored by recent data that underscores the sector’s economic significance. Earlier this week, EGDF, in partnership with Video Games Europe (VGE), published the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024.
According to the report, the European games market generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024. The industry is supported by more than 6,600 studios, which collectively employ over 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles—from programmers and artists to marketers and community managers. These figures illustrate not only the financial weight of the sector but also its capacity for job creation and cultural impact. The report further notes that growth is being driven by several trends: the rise of live‑service models, increasing adoption of cloud‑gaming platforms, and a surge in demand for games that incorporate advanced AI features.
The data also points to a growing export market, with European titles gaining traction in North America and Asia. Against this backdrop, EGDF’s renewed board and its strategic priorities aim to capitalize on momentum while addressing persistent challenges.
Access to capital remains uneven across regions, with studios in Southern and Eastern Europe often facing higher barriers to financing. Talent shortages, particularly in specialised fields like AI‑driven design and network security, continue to hamper scaling efforts. By focusing on these pain points, the federation hopes to create a more level playing field. The board’s composition reflects a deliberate effort to bring together voices from across the continent—Northern, Western, Central, and Southern Europe—ensuring that policy recommendations and support programmes are inclusive and representative.
For instance, the inclusion of Hrvoje Mitic provides insight into the burgeoning Croatian and broader Balkan development scenes, while Vanessa Kaplan offers a perspective on the mature French market and its regulatory environment. Looking ahead, EGDF plans to host a series of high‑profile events, including an annual European Games Summit, regional AI‑in‑Games workshops, and a talent‑matchmaking portal that connects developers with investors and educational partners.
These initiatives are designed to foster networking, showcase innovative projects, and accelerate the adoption of cutting‑edge technologies. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser as president and the appointment of a new, geographically diverse board signal a renewed commitment to advancing the European games ecosystem. By targeting funding accessibility, talent cultivation, and AI leadership, EGDF aims to empower developers to ascend the value chain, expand their global reach, and sustain the sector’s robust economic contribution for years to come.