The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its board for the 2026‑2028 term, and the organization’s leadership remains stable with Hendrik Lesser being re‑elected as its president. Lesser’s continued stewardship signals a commitment to the strategic direction set out in the federation’s recent roadmap, which emphasizes strengthening the European game development ecosystem and expanding the sector’s global influence. In addition to the re‑election of its president, the board sees the departure of two notable figures: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio. Their exits create space for fresh perspectives while maintaining continuity through the remaining and newly appointed members.
The refreshed EGDF board now includes the following individuals, each bringing a distinct set of experiences from across the continent’s gaming landscape: - **Martine Spaans** – currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holding the role of General Manager for the Dutch Games Association. Spaans’ dual responsibilities give her insight into both the operational side of game production and the broader policy environment affecting Dutch developers.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – director of the Neogames Finland Association, where he has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among Finnish studios and advocating for supportive regulatory frameworks. - **Per Strömbäck** – board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering a blend of cultural advocacy and regional economic development expertise. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, positioning him as a key connector between industry growth initiatives and cross‑border partnerships.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – leads the Games Industry Conference, co‑founded the Indie Games Poland Foundation, and serves on its board, bringing a strong focus on indie development, networking events, and knowledge sharing. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – director‑general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and playing a pivotal role in national policy dialogue and talent development programs. The EGDF’s strategic agenda for the 2026‑2028 period is built around three core pillars: facilitating a clear pathway for developers to ascend the value chain, enhancing access to capital, and improving the availability of skilled talent and specialized training.
By "providing a route to the top of the value chain," the federation intends to help studios move beyond basic production roles toward higher‑margin activities such as IP ownership, international distribution, and advanced technology integration. In a statement released by the federation, officials highlighted several concrete actions planned for the upcoming term.
They intend to launch a series of matchmaking events that bring together investors, publishers, and emerging studios, thereby streamlining the funding process. Additionally, the EGDF will expand its mentorship programmes, pairing seasoned industry veterans with newer developers to accelerate skill acquisition in areas such as game design, programming, and business management. "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 wrote. This commitment underscores a dual focus: nurturing domestic growth while also positioning European games more prominently on the world stage, where competition from North America and Asia remains intense.
A notable ambition highlighted in the federation’s roadmap is its intention to become the first AI‑driven European trade association for the gaming sector. Recognizing that the video‑game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to player‑behavior analytics—the EGDF aims to embed AI into its own operational framework. This could involve using AI for data analysis, member services, policy research, and even predictive modeling to anticipate market trends. 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 market: in 2024, European studios generated approximately €24 billion in revenue, supporting a workforce of more than 95,000 individuals across more than 6,600 companies. These figures illustrate not only the sector’s economic significance but also its capacity for job creation and innovation. Beyond the raw numbers, the report delves into regional disparities, growth sectors, and emerging trends. For instance, it notes that while Western European markets remain the largest contributors to overall turnover, Eastern European studios are experiencing faster growth rates, driven by lower operational costs and a surge in talent pipelines from local universities.
The report also highlights the increasing importance of live‑service models, cross‑platform releases, and the integration of emerging technologies such as virtual reality and cloud gaming. In response to these insights, the EGDF plans to tailor its support mechanisms to address both the needs of established powerhouses and the aspirations of smaller, fast‑growing studios.
Initiatives under consideration include regional funding pools, targeted skill‑development workshops, and collaborative research projects focused on next‑generation gaming technologies. Overall, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a diverse, experienced board signal continuity and renewal for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear strategic vision that blends funding facilitation, talent development, and AI integration, the EGDF is poised to champion the interests of European developers, foster a more competitive industry, and amplify the region’s contribution to the global gaming landscape.