The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 term, and in a clear vote of confidence, Hendrik Lesser has been re‑elected to continue serving as the federation’s president. Lesser’s renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the European games sector, which is seeking to strengthen its position both within the continent and on the global stage. Two notable departures were announced alongside the board reshuffle.
David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the independent studio No Brakes Games, have stepped down from their previous EGDF roles. Their exits open space for fresh perspectives and new expertise to guide the federation’s strategic direction.
The freshly constituted board now includes a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from key organisations across Europe: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing operational insight and a deep understanding of the Dutch market. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, offering a strong voice for the Finnish development community. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, linking cultural policy with commercial interests.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, providing a multifaceted view of Central‑Eastern European game production. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, championing indie development and networking opportunities. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French video‑game sector and its regulatory environment. Together, this board reflects a broad geographic spread—covering the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Croatia, Poland and France—and a mix of corporate, indie, cultural and policy expertise.
Their combined experience is expected to guide EGDF’s agenda, which has been clearly outlined for the upcoming two‑year period. **Strategic Priorities for 2026‑2028** The federation’s roadmap centers on three core objectives. First, it aims to provide developers with "a route to the top of the value chain," meaning that creators of games will have clearer pathways to higher‑value activities such as publishing, international distribution and intellectual‑property monetisation.
Second, EGDF intends to improve access to essential resources—namely, financial capital, skilled talent and specialised training programmes. Finally, the organisation is committed to enhancing the visibility of Europe’s game industry on the world stage, positioning it as a hub of innovation and creativity.
In a formal statement, EGDF emphasized its role as a facilitator and watchdog for the European game ecosystem. "The EGDF will continue to monitor and facilitate the development of the European game industry ecosystem, strengthen its collaboration with European game development studios, and increase the European game industry's global visibility," the federation declared.
This language underscores a dual focus: internal cohesion among European studios and external promotion to attract investment, partnerships and media attention. **AI as a Strategic Lever** A particularly forward‑looking element of the agenda is the federation’s ambition to become the first AI‑driven trade association in Europe. Recognising that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—from procedural content generation to player‑behaviour analytics—EGDF plans to embed AI into its operational processes.
This could involve using AI to streamline member services, predict market trends, or even to help studios navigate regulatory landscapes more efficiently. By positioning itself as an AI‑enabled body, EGDF hopes to set a benchmark for how trade organisations can leverage emerging technologies to better serve their constituencies.
**Industry Context and Recent Data** The board’s strategic thrust is supported by recent industry data released earlier this week. In collaboration with Video Games Europe (VGE), EGDF co‑published the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report paints a robust picture of the market: European game companies generated a combined turnover of €24 billion in 2024.
Moreover, the sector comprises more than 6,600 studios, collectively employing over 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles—from programmers and artists to marketers and business developers. These figures illustrate both the scale and the potential of the European gaming landscape. A turnover of €24 billion places Europe among the world’s leading regions for interactive entertainment, while the employment numbers highlight the sector’s importance as a source of high‑skill jobs and economic growth. The data also suggests that there is ample room for further expansion, especially if barriers to funding, talent acquisition and skill development can be reduced.
**Implications for Developers and Stakeholders** For game developers, the renewed leadership and clarified objectives signal a period of opportunity. Access to funding could be improved through EU‑backed grants, venture‑capital matchmaking events and streamlined application processes facilitated by the federation. Talent pipelines may be strengthened by partnerships with educational institutions, apprenticeship schemes and cross‑border mobility programmes that allow developers to work in different European markets without bureaucratic hindrance. Skill development initiatives could include workshops on emerging technologies such as AI, virtual reality, and cloud‑based game services, ensuring that European studios remain competitive on a global scale.
Stakeholders beyond the developers—such as publishers, investors, policy makers and academic researchers—are also likely to benefit. A more visible and coordinated European game industry can attract foreign direct investment, encourage policy frameworks that support innovation, and foster research collaborations that push the boundaries of interactive media. **Looking Ahead** As the EGDF embarks on its 2026‑2028 term, the combination of experienced leadership, a clear strategic plan and supportive industry data creates a strong foundation for growth.
The federation’s commitment to leveraging AI, enhancing funding pathways, and building talent networks positions it to act as a catalyst for the next wave of European game development. If successful, the initiatives outlined by the board could not only increase the sector’s economic contribution but also cement Europe’s reputation as a cradle of creative, technologically advanced gaming experiences.
The coming years will be closely watched by industry observers worldwide. With Hendrik Lesser at the helm once more, and a board representing a broad cross‑section of the European gaming community, the EGDF is poised to drive meaningful change, support its members, and elevate the European games industry to new heights.