The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue serving as its president, following his successful re‑election, as the organization unveils its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 term. Lesser’s continued leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the European gaming sector, which is experiencing rapid growth, heightened competition, and an accelerating integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Two notable figures stepped away from the board this cycle: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the studio No Brakes Games. Their departures open space for fresh perspectives and expertise, which the federation has filled with a diverse group of industry veterans and innovators. The refreshed EGDF board now includes: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings a blend of operational know‑how and advocacy experience from the Netherlands, a country known for its vibrant indie scene and strong governmental support for digital creative industries.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association. Hiltunen’s background in the Finnish gaming ecosystem, which consistently ranks among the world’s most creative and commercially successful, adds valuable insight into nurturing small‑to‑medium studios and fostering cross‑border collaborations. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council.
Strömbäck is recognized for his work in promoting gaming as a cultural asset and for building bridges between the private sector and public policy makers 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 multifaceted role across development, business growth, and community building equips the board with a strong understanding of the challenges faced by emerging markets in the region. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation.
Marszalkowski is a champion of indie developers and has a track record of organizing events that showcase Polish talent on the global stage. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV) in France. Kaplan’s experience in French labor law, collective bargaining, and industry advocacy ensures that the federation’s policies remain aligned with the needs of creators and workers alike. Together, this panel of six leaders represents a broad geographic spread—covering the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Croatia, Poland, and France—reflecting EGDF’s commitment to a truly pan‑European perspective.
Their combined expertise spans studio management, policy advocacy, conference organization, and business development, positioning the federation to address both macro‑level industry trends and the day‑to‑day concerns of individual developers. **Strategic Priorities for 2026‑2028** The EGDF has outlined a clear agenda for the next two years, centered on three core pillars: enhancing developers’ access to capital, strengthening the talent pipeline, and expanding skill‑building opportunities. The federation describes its mission as providing "a route to the top of the value chain," meaning that studios of all sizes should be able to move beyond basic production and enter higher‑margin segments such as live‑service games, intellectual property licensing, and transmedia storytelling.
1. **Funding Pathways** – EGDF plans to negotiate with European Union bodies, national ministries, and private investors to create dedicated grant programmes, co‑investment funds, and tax‑incentive schemes that are more transparent and easier to navigate for small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs). By simplifying application processes and offering mentorship throughout the funding lifecycle, the federation hopes to reduce the financial bottlenecks that often stall promising projects. 2.
**Talent Acquisition and Retention** – Recognizing that Europe’s gaming workforce is both highly skilled and increasingly mobile, EGDF will launch cross‑border apprenticeship networks, university‑industry partnership initiatives, and mentorship schemes that connect seasoned veterans with emerging creators. Special attention will be given to under‑represented groups, including women, minorities, and creators from less‑developed regions, to ensure a diverse and resilient talent pool. 3.
**Skills Development** – The federation intends to expand its educational offerings, ranging from short‑term workshops on emerging technologies (e.g., AI‑driven content generation, procedural world building) to longer certification programmes in areas such as game design theory, production pipelines, and business management. By partnering with technical schools, online learning platforms, and industry veterans, EGDF aims to keep European developers at the forefront of innovation. In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF emphasized its role as a watchdog and facilitator for the broader European game ecosystem.
"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. This language underscores the federation’s dual focus on internal industry health and external perception. **AI Integration and Future‑Proofing** One of the most forward‑looking goals highlighted by EGDF is its ambition to become the first AI‑based European trade association.
The gaming sector has been an early adopter of artificial intelligence, using machine‑learning models for everything from automated testing and quality assurance to dynamic narrative generation and player‑behavior analytics. By positioning itself as an AI‑centric body, EGDF aims to provide members with shared resources, best‑practice guidelines, and perhaps even a collective AI platform that can be leveraged across studios to accelerate development cycles and reduce costs. The federation’s AI strategy includes: - Establishing a working group of AI experts, ethicists, and developers to draft standards for responsible AI use in games.
- Creating a shared repository of open‑source AI tools and datasets that members can access under fair‑use licenses. - Hosting an annual AI‑in‑Games summit to showcase breakthroughs, foster collaboration, and attract investment from tech firms interested in the gaming market.
**Industry Context and Economic Impact** 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). According to the report, the European gaming market generated approximately €24 billion in revenue in 2024, a figure that reflects both the region’s large consumer base and its growing export capacity. The sector employed over 95,000 individuals across more than 6,600 studios, ranging from indie micro‑studios to multinational publishers. These statistics illustrate the sector’s significance as a driver of economic growth, cultural influence, and technological innovation.
They also highlight the importance of a coordinated European voice to negotiate favorable policies, protect intellectual property, and promote sustainable growth. **Looking Ahead** With Hendrik Lesser at the helm and a refreshed board representing a wide cross‑section of the European gaming landscape, EGDF is poised to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The federation’s focus on funding, talent, skills, and AI integration signals a proactive approach to ensuring that European developers not only keep pace with global competitors but also set new standards for creativity, inclusivity, and technological advancement. Stakeholders across the continent—developers, investors, educators, and policymakers—will be watching closely as EGDF implements its agenda.
If successful, the next two years could see a more cohesive, better‑funded, and technologically empowered European game industry that solidifies its position as a world leader in interactive entertainment.