The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its governing board for the 2026‑2028 term, and in the process reaffirmed Hendrik Lesser as its president. Lesser, who has been a prominent figure in the European gaming community, secured another term after a vote that reflected broad support from member organisations across the continent. His re‑election comes at a pivotal moment for the federation, as it seeks to deepen its influence on policy, funding mechanisms, and talent development within the rapidly evolving European games sector. Two notable departures were announced alongside the new board lineup.
David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the studio No Brakes Games, both stepped down from their previous roles within EGDF. Their exits open space for fresh perspectives and underline the federation’s commitment to rotating leadership in order to keep its strategic direction dynamic and responsive to industry changes. The freshly appointed board members bring a diverse set of experiences and geographic representation: - **Martine Spaans** – currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holding the position of General Manager for the Dutch Games Association. Spaans is known for her work in fostering cross‑border collaborations and supporting indie developers in the Netherlands.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – director of the Neogames Finland Association, where she has championed initiatives that connect Finnish studios with international publishers and investors. - **Per Strömbäck** – a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, Strömbäck brings a strong background in cultural policy and the economic impact of gaming in Sweden.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. Mitic’s portfolio includes facilitating market entry for Croatian studios and promoting regional talent pipelines.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – leader of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for organizing events that showcase Polish indie talent on the global stage. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – director‑general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, where she has been instrumental in negotiating collective bargaining agreements and advocating for creators’ rights in France. Collectively, this board reflects a balance of operational expertise, policy insight, and on‑the‑ground experience from both Western and Eastern Europe. Their combined mandate is to steer EGDF toward a set of ambitious goals that were outlined in the federation’s two‑year agenda released alongside the board announcement.
### Strategic Priorities for 2026‑2028 The EGDF’s roadmap emphasizes three core pillars: enhancing developers’ position within the value chain, expanding access to financial resources, and strengthening the talent and skills ecosystem. The federation describes its mission as providing “a route to the top of the value chain,” meaning that studios—particularly small and medium‑sized enterprises—should be able to move beyond merely producing content to influencing distribution, marketing, and post‑launch services. To achieve this, EGDF plans to: 1. **Facilitate Funding Pathways** – By forging stronger links with European Union cultural funds, national grant programs, and private investors, the federation aims to simplify the application process for developers.
Workshops, template proposals, and mentorship schemes will be rolled out to help studios craft compelling funding pitches. 2. **Cultivate Talent Pipelines** – Partnerships with universities, technical schools, and vocational training centres will be expanded. EGDF intends to launch a pan‑European apprenticeship network that matches aspiring developers with studios across borders, thereby addressing skill shortages and promoting mobility.
3. **Promote Skills Development** – A series of master‑classes, webinars, and certification programs will be offered, focusing on emerging technologies such as real‑time ray tracing, cloud‑based multiplayer infrastructure, and, notably, artificial intelligence (AI) integration. ### AI as a Transformative Force One of the most forward‑looking statements in the federation’s communiqué is its commitment to become “the first AI‑based European trade association.” The gaming industry has already become a testing ground for AI‑driven tools—ranging from procedural content generation and adaptive narrative engines to AI‑assisted quality assurance and player‑behavior analytics. EGDF plans to spearhead the creation of an AI‑focused working group that will develop best‑practice guidelines, ethical standards, and shared resources for member studios.
This initiative is expected to accelerate the adoption of AI while ensuring that smaller developers can benefit without incurring prohibitive costs. ### Industry Context and Recent Data 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). According to the report, the European games market generated approximately €24 billion in revenue during 2024.
The sector comprises more than 6,600 studios, collectively employing over 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles—from programming and art to marketing and community management. These figures underscore the sector’s economic significance and its potential for further growth, especially as consumer demand for immersive digital experiences continues to rise. ### Looking Ahead In its statement, EGDF highlighted that the organization will continue to monitor the health of the European game ecosystem, facilitate collaboration among studios, and amplify the global visibility of European titles. By leveraging the expertise of its newly appointed board members, the federation aims to create a more cohesive network that can advocate effectively for favorable regulatory environments, protect intellectual property rights, and promote sustainable business models.
The emphasis on AI, coupled with concrete actions to improve funding access and talent development, positions EGDF as a catalyst for innovation. As the industry navigates challenges such as market saturation, evolving player expectations, and the ethical implications of AI, the federation’s proactive stance could help European developers maintain a competitive edge on the world stage. Overall, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the infusion of fresh leadership signal a period of strategic renewal for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear agenda and a diverse board, EGDF is poised to support its members in scaling their operations, adopting cutting‑edge technologies, and contributing to the broader cultural and economic fabric of Europe’s digital entertainment landscape.