The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue at the helm as its president, following his successful re‑election, and has unveiled the composition of its new 2026‑2028 governing board. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent members of the previous board: David Rabineau, chief executive of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games.
The refreshed EGDF board now brings together a diverse set of leaders from across the continent, each representing different facets of the European gaming ecosystem: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief operating officer of Fourth Moon Games and general manager of the Dutch Games Association, where she has been instrumental in shaping policy and supporting indie developers in the Netherlands. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a body that advocates for Finnish game studios and promotes international collaboration.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, known for his work on cultural initiatives and industry‑wide networking events. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, a platform that highlights Croatian talent on the global stage. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Leader of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, and a long‑time champion of the Polish indie scene. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director‑general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, the French national union that represents game developers and publishers across France.
Together, these six individuals will steer EGDF through a strategic period that the federation describes as a "route to the top of the value chain" for European developers. The agenda set out for the 2026‑2028 term emphasizes three core pillars: enhanced access to financing, a stronger talent pipeline, and the development of advanced skill sets that match the rapidly evolving technological landscape. In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF highlighted its commitment to monitoring and nurturing the European game‑industry ecosystem. "We will continue to facilitate collaboration among studios across the continent, raise the profile of European games on the world stage, and act as a catalyst for sustainable growth," the federation said.
The organization also underscored the importance of positioning Europe as a leader in emerging technologies, noting that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of artificial‑intelligence research and application. To that end, EGDF has set an ambitious goal: to become the first AI‑driven trade association in Europe. This vision entails leveraging AI tools for everything from market analysis and matchmaking between developers and investors, to providing personalized training pathways and automating administrative processes within member organisations. By integrating AI into its core operations, EGDF hopes to streamline the way studios access resources, accelerate product development cycles, and ultimately improve competitiveness in a market dominated by North American and Asian players.
The federation's forward‑looking strategy is complemented by recent data that underscores the sector's vitality. Earlier in the week, EGDF partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024.
According to the report, the European games market generated a staggering €24 billion in revenue during the fiscal year 2024. This economic output is supported by more than 6,600 active studios, which together employ over 95,000 professionals ranging from programmers and artists to marketers and business developers.
These figures illustrate not only the sheer scale of the industry but also its capacity for job creation and technological innovation. The report further breaks down growth trends, noting that mobile and live‑service titles continue to drive a significant share of revenue, while console and PC segments remain strong due to high‑budget, narrative‑driven experiences that attract global audiences. Moreover, the data highlights a rising interest in cross‑border collaborations, with many studios forming partnerships to share expertise, reduce development costs, and tap into new markets. In light of this robust performance, EGDF’s renewed focus on funding pathways is especially timely.
The federation plans to negotiate with European Union bodies, national governments, and private investors to create dedicated grant programmes, tax incentives, and co‑investment schemes that lower the financial barriers for both emerging indie teams and mid‑size studios aiming to scale up. By simplifying the application process and offering clearer criteria, EGDF hopes to democratise access to capital and reduce the reliance on venture capital that often comes with restrictive terms. Talent development is the second pillar of the federation’s agenda.
EGDF intends to launch a continent‑wide mentorship network, pairing seasoned industry veterans with up‑and‑coming creators. In addition, the organization will work with universities, technical schools, and coding bootcamps to align curricula with the specific needs of game development, ensuring that graduates possess the practical skills—such as real‑time rendering, networked gameplay design, and user‑experience research—that employers demand. Scholarships, apprenticeships, and internship pipelines will be expanded to give young professionals hands‑on experience within established studios.
The final pillar—skill enhancement—will be addressed through a series of workshops, webinars, and certification programmes focused on cutting‑edge topics like AI‑generated art, procedural content creation, and cloud‑based multiplayer infrastructure. By offering continuous learning opportunities, EGDF aims to keep European developers at the technological forefront, enabling them to adopt new tools faster than competitors. Overall, the re‑elected leadership and the newly appointed board members signal a strong, unified direction for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear roadmap that blends financial support, talent cultivation, and technological advancement, EGDF is positioning Europe to not only maintain its current market share but also to expand its influence globally. The federation’s commitment to becoming an AI‑centric trade association further demonstrates its willingness to embrace innovation and set new standards for how industry bodies can serve their members in the digital age.