Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) as its president, coinciding with the federation’s announcement of the new board that will serve from 2026 through 2028. Lesser’s re‑election signals continuity in the organization’s strategic direction, while the refreshed board brings together a diverse group of industry veterans from across the continent, each tasked with advancing the interests of European game creators. Two prominent figures stepped away from their board responsibilities during this transition. David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, the studio director at No Brakes Games, both decided to relinquish their seats, opening the way for new voices to shape the federation’s agenda.
The newly constituted EGDF board now includes: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy, positioning her to bridge the gap between independent developers and larger market players. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association. Hiltunen’s background in Finnish game policy and community building equips him to champion the needs of Nordic developers within the broader European context.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and member of the Stockholm Region Business Council. Strömbäck’s dual role in cultural initiatives and regional economic development gives him a unique perspective on how games can contribute to cultural identity and economic growth. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia.
Mitic’s entrepreneurial track record and his work fostering cross‑border collaboration in the Balkans add a valuable dimension to the board’s strategic outlook. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation. Marszalkowski’s experience organizing large‑scale industry events and supporting indie creators underlines the federation’s commitment to nurturing grassroots talent. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV) in France.
Kaplan’s leadership within one of Europe’s most influential national game unions provides insight into regulatory, labor, and funding issues that affect developers across the EU. Together, these six individuals form a board that reflects a balance of geographic representation, functional expertise, and a shared vision for strengthening the European games ecosystem.
Their collective mandate, as outlined by EGDF, centers on three core pillars for the 2026‑2028 period: 1. **Creating a clear pathway to the top of the value chain** – The federation intends to help developers move beyond the traditional roles of production and distribution, encouraging them to capture greater share of revenue through ownership of IP, publishing, and ancillary services.
By offering mentorship programs, best‑practice workshops, and networking opportunities with investors and publishers, EGDF aims to demystify the steps required to ascend the commercial ladder. 2.
**Improving access to financing, talent, and skills** – Recognizing that many studios, especially smaller indie teams, struggle to secure capital and recruit specialized staff, EGDF will act as a conduit between developers and public or private funding sources. The organization plans to negotiate with EU cultural funds, national grant agencies, and private venture capital firms to streamline application processes.
In parallel, it will launch a series of training initiatives—ranging from technical bootcamps on emerging engines to leadership and business development courses—to upskill the workforce and reduce talent shortages. 3. **Elevating the global visibility of European games** – Europe’s game market is already sizable, but the federation seeks to amplify its presence on the world stage. This includes coordinated marketing campaigns, participation in international trade shows, and the creation of a unified brand that highlights European creativity, cultural diversity, and technological innovation.
By presenting a cohesive narrative, EGDF hopes to attract overseas publishers, media coverage, and consumer interest. In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF emphasized its role as a steward of the continent’s gaming ecosystem. "The federation will continue to monitor and facilitate the development of the European game industry, strengthen collaboration with studios across the region, and boost the sector’s global profile," the organization said.
The statement also highlighted a forward‑looking ambition: as the gaming sector increasingly adopts artificial intelligence for design, testing, and player analytics, EGDF aims to become the first AI‑driven European trade association. This goal reflects a broader industry trend where AI tools are reshaping production pipelines, enabling faster prototyping, and offering new avenues for personalization.
The timing of the board’s formation coincides with the release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a joint effort by EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE). The report paints a robust picture of the market: European game companies generated approximately €24 billion in revenue in 2024, and the sector employed more than 95 000 individuals across over 6 600 studios.
These figures underscore the economic significance of gaming in Europe and justify the federation’s push for policies that sustain growth, protect jobs, and encourage innovation. Beyond the immediate agenda, the board’s diverse expertise positions it to address longer‑term challenges. For instance, the rise of cloud gaming and subscription services is reshaping distribution models, while regulatory developments around data privacy and in‑game monetization demand proactive advocacy.
Additionally, the federation plans to foster cross‑border collaborations, leveraging the EU’s single market to facilitate talent mobility and joint development projects. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, geographically varied board mark a pivotal moment for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear focus on financial access, skill development, and global promotion—augmented by an ambitious AI‑centric vision—EGDF is set to play a central role in guiding Europe’s game industry through a period of rapid technological change and market expansion.
The upcoming two‑year term will be critical for translating these strategic priorities into concrete outcomes that benefit developers of all sizes, from fledgling indie teams to established studios seeking to expand their reach.