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 the composition of its 2026‑2028 governing board. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent figures: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio, both of whom have stepped down from their board positions. The newly formed EGDF board now brings together a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of European gaming bodies. The roster includes: - **Martine Spaans**, who serves as chief operating officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holds the role of general manager for the Dutch Games Association.
Her dual experience in studio operations and national industry advocacy equips her to bridge the gap between creators and policy makers. - **KooPee Hiltunen**, director of the Neogames Finland Association, a body that supports Finnish developers through networking events, funding advice, and market research. Hiltunen’s insight into the Nordic market is expected to enrich EGDF’s strategic outreach. - **Per Strömbäck**, a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council.
His background in cultural policy and regional economic development positions him to champion the cultural value of games within broader European agendas. - **Hrvoje Mitic**, head of business development at GamesCo, secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia.
Mitic’s multifaceted involvement in both commercial and community‑driven initiatives gives him a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by developers across Central and Eastern Europe. - **Jakub Marszalkowski**, who leads the Games Industry Conference and co‑founded the Indie Games Poland Foundation, where he also serves on the board. His experience in organizing large‑scale industry events will be instrumental in expanding EGDF’s visibility and networking opportunities.
- **Vanessa Kaplan**, director‑general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, the French national union for video‑game professionals. Kaplan’s expertise in labor relations and regulatory affairs will help shape policies that protect creators while fostering growth. Collectively, this board reflects a balance of operational expertise, regional representation, and strategic vision, aligning with EGDF’s stated priorities for the forthcoming biennium. The federation has outlined an agenda that centers on providing developers with a clearer pathway to the upper tiers of the value chain, meaning greater participation in high‑margin activities such as publishing, IP licensing, and international distribution.
In practical terms, this translates into initiatives designed to simplify access to capital, streamline talent acquisition, and expand skill‑building programs. "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 organization said in its official statement. This pledge underscores a commitment to both macro‑level advocacy—such as lobbying the European Union for favorable regulatory frameworks—and micro‑level support, including mentorship schemes for emerging studios.
A particularly forward‑looking element of EGDF’s roadmap is its ambition to become the first AI‑centric European trade association within the gaming sector. Recognizing that the gaming industry often leads the adoption of artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to player‑behavior analytics—the federation aims to embed AI considerations into its core activities. This could involve establishing best‑practice guidelines for ethical AI use, facilitating partnerships between AI research labs and game studios, and advocating for funding streams that specifically target AI‑driven innovation.
In parallel with these strategic moves, EGDF recently collaborated with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report paints a robust picture of the continent’s gaming economy, revealing that the sector generated €24 billion in turnover during the year and that more than 6,600 studios collectively employed upwards of 95,000 individuals across a wide spectrum of roles—from programmers and artists to marketers and community managers.
These figures not only highlight the sector’s economic weight but also illustrate its capacity for job creation and technological advancement. The data from the report serve as a quantitative foundation for EGDF’s advocacy work. By demonstrating the sector’s contribution to GDP and employment, the federation can more effectively argue for public investment, tax incentives, and educational programs that nurture future talent.
Moreover, the report’s breakdown of regional performance points to growth hotspots in countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, while also identifying emerging clusters in the Baltic states and the Balkans that could benefit from targeted support. Looking ahead, the newly appointed board members intend to roll out a series of concrete actions.
These may include the launch of a pan‑European funding portal that aggregates grant opportunities from national governments, EU programs, and private investors; the creation of a talent‑exchange platform that matches skilled professionals with studios seeking specific expertise; and the organization of a series of workshops and webinars focused on emerging technologies, including AI, virtual reality, and cloud‑based game services. In sum, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the formation of a refreshed board signal continuity and renewal for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear focus on enhancing financial pathways, talent pipelines, and skill development—augmented by a pioneering stance on AI—the federation is positioning itself to drive the European gaming ecosystem toward greater competitiveness, sustainability, and global prominence over the next two years.