The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue in his role as president for another term, as the association unveiled its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 period. Lesser’s re‑election comes at a pivotal moment for the European game‑development sector, which is seeking to consolidate its position on the global stage while navigating rapid technological change, especially in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Two notable figures stepped away from the board at the end of the previous term: David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games. Their departures opened space for a refreshed roster of industry leaders who bring a mix of operational expertise, policy experience, and cross‑border networking capabilities.
The newly appointed board members are: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings a strong background in both studio management 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 work focuses on fostering a collaborative ecosystem among Finnish studios, encouraging knowledge‑sharing and joint ventures that can serve as a model for other European regions.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council. His dual involvement in cultural policy and regional business development equips him to champion the cultural value of games while supporting commercial growth. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. Mitic’s experience spans business expansion, alliance building, and event organization, giving him a comprehensive view of how to scale the industry across borders.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation. Marszalkowski is well‑known for his work in promoting indie talent and creating platforms where emerging developers can showcase their work to investors and publishers. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV) in France.
Kaplan’s leadership in one of Europe’s largest national game unions provides the EGDF with valuable insight into regulatory matters, labor standards, and cross‑national advocacy. Together, this board is tasked with executing EGDF’s strategic agenda for the 2026‑2028 cycle. Central to that agenda is the promise of providing developers with "a route to the top of the value chain," meaning that studios of all sizes should have clearer pathways to secure financing, attract skilled talent, and acquire the technical and business competencies needed to compete internationally. The federation intends to roll out a series of initiatives, including mentorship programmes that pair emerging studios with seasoned industry veterans, grant schemes that target high‑risk, high‑reward projects, and a talent‑exchange network that facilitates the movement of designers, programmers, and artists across European borders.
In a statement, EGDF emphasized its commitment to monitoring and nurturing the broader European game‑industry ecosystem. The federation plans to strengthen collaborations with existing development studios, academic institutions, and technology partners, thereby creating a more cohesive and resilient community. By improving visibility on a global scale, EGDF hopes to attract foreign investment, encourage cross‑regional publishing deals, and showcase European creativity at major international events such as Gamescom, GDC, and the Tokyo Game Show. A particularly forward‑looking element of the federation’s roadmap is its focus on artificial intelligence.
Recognising that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of AI adoption—whether through procedural content generation, player‑behavior analytics, or advanced graphics pipelines—EGDF has set an ambitious goal: to become the first AI‑driven European trade association. This ambition entails integrating AI tools into the federation’s own operations, from data‑driven policy analysis to automated matchmaking between developers and potential investors.
It also means advocating for responsible AI use within the industry, helping members navigate ethical considerations, and ensuring that AI‑related regulations support innovation rather than stifle it. The timing of these announcements 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 continent’s gaming landscape: in 2024, the European games industry generated a turnover of €24 billion, a figure that underscores both the sector’s economic significance and its growth trajectory. More than 6,600 studios were active across the region, employing upwards of 95,000 individuals in roles ranging from programming and art to marketing and business development.
These numbers highlight the sector’s capacity to create high‑skill jobs and contribute to the broader digital economy. The insights from the report also reveal regional variations, with certain hubs—such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Nordic countries—continuing to lead in terms of revenue and studio density. However, emerging clusters in Central and Eastern Europe are gaining momentum, driven by supportive government policies, increasing access to venture capital, and a growing pool of locally trained talent.
EGDF’s new board members, many of whom hail from these burgeoning regions, are well‑positioned to champion the needs of both established powerhouses and up‑and‑coming ecosystems. Looking ahead, the federation’s strategy includes several concrete actions: launching a pan‑European funding portal that aggregates national and EU‑level grants; establishing a talent‑mobility program that offers scholarships and work‑placement opportunities across member countries; and organizing a series of thematic workshops that address topics such as sustainable game development, diversity and inclusion, and the integration of AI into creative pipelines. By fostering a collaborative environment, EGDF aims to reduce fragmentation, allowing smaller studios to benefit from shared resources and collective bargaining power.
In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a diverse, experienced board signal a renewed commitment to strengthening Europe’s game‑development sector. With a clear focus on financing, talent development, AI integration, and global visibility, the European Games Developer Federation is poised to guide the industry through the next pivotal phase of growth and innovation. The federation’s initiatives are expected to not only boost the economic impact of European games but also reinforce the cultural relevance of interactive entertainment as a key component of Europe’s creative industries.