Hendrik Lesser has been confirmed for a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the public unveiling of the organisation’s new board for the 2026‑2028 period. The leadership change follows the departure of two prominent figures in the European gaming community: 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 a range of national and sectoral 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 advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, known for championing Finnish indie development and fostering cross‑border collaborations.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering a blend of cultural policy insight and regional economic strategy. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, providing a strong commercial and organisational perspective. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, adding expertise in event production and indie ecosystem support.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and contributing deep knowledge of labour and regulatory issues. Together, this board is tasked with steering the EGDF through a period of rapid transformation in the European gaming landscape. The federation has articulated a clear agenda for the 2026‑2028 term, centred on three primary objectives: creating a more direct pathway for developers to ascend the value chain, expanding access to financial resources, and bolstering the talent pipeline and skill development mechanisms across the continent.
In a statement released by the EGDF, the organisation underscored its commitment to continue monitoring and facilitating the growth of Europe’s game‑development ecosystem. It highlighted the importance of deepening collaboration with studios of all sizes, from fledgling indie teams to established AAA producers, and emphasized the need to raise the global profile of European games.
"The EGDF will keep a close eye on industry trends, support the formation of strategic partnerships, and work to ensure that European developers receive the recognition they deserve on the world stage," the statement read. A notable component of the federation’s forward‑looking strategy is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven trade association in Europe’s gaming sector. Recognising that the video‑game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—whether for procedural content generation, player‑behaviour analytics, or automated testing—the EGDF aims to embed AI into its own operational framework. This could involve using AI for member services, policy analysis, and even predictive market insights, positioning the federation as a technological pioneer among trade bodies.
The timing of these announcements coincides with the release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a joint effort by the EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE). The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the continent’s gaming economy, revealing that in 2024 the sector generated approximately €24 billion in turnover. Moreover, the industry now comprises more than 6,600 studios and employs upwards of 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles, from programming and art to marketing and localisation. These figures illustrate the sheer scale and economic significance of European game development, reinforcing the EGDF’s rationale for its upcoming initiatives.
By improving funding pathways—through both public grants and private investment channels—the federation hopes to lower the financial barriers that often impede innovative projects. In parallel, the focus on talent and skills will see the launch of new training programmes, mentorship schemes, and cross‑border exchange opportunities designed to upskill the workforce and ensure a steady supply of qualified professionals. The board’s composition also reflects a strategic balance between national representation and sector‑specific expertise. For instance, Martine Spaans’ dual role in a commercial studio and a national association equips her to bridge the gap between business realities and policy advocacy.
Similarly, KooPee Hiltunen’s experience with the Finnish gaming community brings insights from a market renowned for its strong indie scene and supportive infrastructure. Looking ahead, the EGDF plans to host a series of workshops and conferences that will address emerging topics such as sustainable game development, diversity and inclusion, and the ethical use of AI in interactive media.
These events are intended not only to disseminate knowledge but also to foster a collaborative environment where developers, investors, educators, and policymakers can co‑create solutions to shared challenges. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a refreshed, multidisciplinary board signal a period of proactive leadership for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear agenda that blends financial facilitation, talent development, and technological innovation—particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence—the EGDF is poised to enhance the competitiveness and global visibility of Europe’s vibrant game‑development community over the next two years.