Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) as its president, coinciding with the unveiling of the organisation’s board for the 2026‑2028 term. The announcement also noted that two prominent figures—David Rabineau, chief executive of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games—have stepped down from their previous board roles, making way for a refreshed line‑up of industry leaders. The newly constituted EGDF board is composed of the following members: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo.
These six individuals bring a broad spectrum of expertise ranging from studio operations and national association leadership to business development and conference organisation. Their collective experience is expected to guide the federation through a period of rapid change and growth within the European gaming sector. ### Strategic Priorities for 2026‑2028 The EGDF has laid out a clear agenda for the forthcoming biennium, centred on three core objectives. First, it aims to provide developers with a "route to the top of the value chain," meaning that creators of all sizes should have clearer pathways to higher‑margin activities such as publishing, international distribution, and intellectual‑property licensing.
Second, the federation will work to improve access to essential resources—namely funding, talent, and specialised skills—by fostering stronger links between studios, investors, educational institutions, and training providers. Third, EGDF intends to amplify the global visibility of the European game industry, positioning it as a leader not only in creative output but also in technological innovation. In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF officials underscored their commitment to monitoring and facilitating the development of the broader European game‑industry ecosystem. They highlighted the importance of deepening collaboration with studios across the continent, from established AAA developers to emerging indie teams, and stressed that a more cohesive network will help the region compete on the world stage.
### Embracing Artificial Intelligence One of the more forward‑looking elements of the federation’s plan is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association for games. The statement noted that the gaming sector has historically been a testing ground for artificial‑intelligence tools and technologies—ranging from procedural content generation to advanced player‑behaviour analytics.
By integrating AI into its own operations, EGDF hopes to streamline internal processes, enhance data‑driven decision‑making, and provide member studios with cutting‑edge resources that can accelerate development cycles and improve game quality. ### Industry Context and Recent Findings The board’s formation comes at a time when the European games market is showing robust financial health. Earlier in the week, EGDF partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report for 2024. According to the report, the continent’s gaming sector generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024, a figure that reflects both strong consumer demand and a diversified portfolio of titles across genres and platforms.
The report also highlighted the scale of employment within the industry: more than 6,600 studios collectively employed upwards of 95,000 individuals. This workforce includes developers, artists, designers, programmers, marketers, and a growing number of specialists in emerging fields such as AI, virtual reality, and cloud gaming.
The data suggests that the sector not only contributes significantly to the European economy but also serves as a major source of high‑skill jobs. ### Implications for Developers and Stakeholders For game developers, the new board signals a renewed focus on practical support mechanisms. Improved access to funding could manifest through enhanced grant programmes, venture‑capital matchmaking events, and clearer guidelines for navigating EU‑wide financial instruments.
Talent development initiatives may involve partnerships with universities and vocational schools to align curricula with industry needs, as well as mentorship schemes that connect seasoned professionals with up‑and‑coming creators. Moreover, the emphasis on AI integration offers a potential competitive edge. Studios that adopt AI‑enhanced pipelines can reduce repetitive tasks, iterate faster on design concepts, and deliver more personalised player experiences.
By positioning itself as an AI‑centric association, EGDF aims to disseminate best practices, host workshops, and perhaps even develop shared AI tools that member companies can leverage. ### Looking Ahead The re‑election of Hendrik Lesser provides continuity in leadership, while the infusion of fresh perspectives from the newly appointed board members promises dynamic evolution.
As the European Games Developer Federation embarks on this two‑year journey, its stated goals—enhancing funding routes, nurturing talent, championing AI, and boosting global visibility—are poised to shape the trajectory of Europe’s gaming ecosystem. Stakeholders across the continent will be watching closely to see how these initiatives translate into tangible outcomes for studios of all sizes, from indie pioneers to multinational powerhouses.
In summary, the EGDF’s 2026‑2028 board composition and strategic roadmap reflect a concerted effort to strengthen Europe’s position in the global gaming arena, ensuring that developers have the resources, expertise, and visibility needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive and technologically sophisticated market.