Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) as its president, coinciding with the unveiling of the federation’s new governing board for the 2026‑2028 term. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent figures in the European gaming community: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the studio No Brakes Games. Their exits open space for a refreshed roster of industry leaders who will steer EGDF through a period of rapid change and opportunity.
The newly appointed board members bring a diverse mix of experience from across the continent: - **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 is known for her strategic insight into both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – director of the Neogames Finland Association, Hiltunen has a strong background in fostering collaboration among Finnish developers and promoting the country’s game‑development ecosystem on a European stage. - **Per Strömbäck** – a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, Strömbäck contributes a blend of cultural policy expertise and business‑development acumen.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – heading business development at GamesCo., serving as secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founding Splitscreen Croatia, Mitic offers a multifaceted perspective on market expansion and regional networking. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – leading the Games Industry Conference, co‑founding the Indie Games Poland Foundation and sitting on its board, Marszalkowski is a champion of indie‑developer visibility and knowledge‑sharing events.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – director‑general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, Kaplan brings deep insight into French gaming policy and the broader European regulatory environment. Together, this board is tasked with executing EGDF’s two‑year agenda, which centres on creating a clearer "route to the top of the value chain" for European developers. In practical terms, this means the federation will work to dismantle barriers that prevent studios—especially smaller and mid‑size firms—from accessing the capital, talent pools, and specialised skills that are essential for scaling their operations and competing internationally.
The federation’s public statement underscored several key priorities. First, EGDF will continue to monitor the health of the European game‑industry ecosystem, acting as a watchdog and facilitator for emerging trends, market shifts, and policy developments. By maintaining close ties with game‑development studios across the continent, the organization hopes to nurture a collaborative environment where best practices are shared and collective challenges are addressed. Second, EGDF aims to boost the global visibility of European games.
This involves coordinated marketing campaigns, participation in high‑profile international trade shows, and the cultivation of strategic partnerships with media outlets and distribution platforms. The goal is to ensure that European titles receive the same level of attention and recognition as those from North America and Asia, thereby expanding market share for European creators.
Third, the federation is positioning itself at the forefront of artificial‑intelligence innovation within the sector. Recognising that the gaming industry often serves as an early adopter of AI‑driven tools—ranging from procedural content generation to advanced player‑behaviour analytics—EGDF has set an ambitious target to become the first AI‑based European trade association.
This initiative will likely involve the development of AI‑enhanced member services, data‑driven policy recommendations, and perhaps a shared AI platform that developers can tap into for prototyping and production. In addition to these strategic thrusts, EGDF recently collaborated with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report paints a robust picture of the continent’s gaming economy: in 2024, European studios generated approximately €24 billion in revenue, a figure supported by more than 6,600 active development studios employing upwards of 95,000 professionals.
These numbers illustrate not only the sector’s economic weight but also its capacity for job creation and technological advancement. The data from the report also highlight several trends that EGDF intends to address.
For instance, while revenue growth remains strong, many studios still struggle with securing long‑term financing, especially for ambitious, high‑risk projects that could push creative boundaries. To counter this, EGDF plans to expand its network of investors, including venture‑capital firms, public‑funding bodies, and corporate partners, offering developers a more diverse set of funding avenues.
Talent acquisition and skill development are another focal point. The federation will launch a series of training programmes, mentorship schemes, and cross‑border apprenticeship opportunities designed to upskill workers in areas such as AI integration, immersive technologies, and sustainable game design. By aligning educational initiatives with industry needs, EGDF hopes to close the skills gap that often hampers studio growth.
Finally, the board’s composition reflects a deliberate effort to ensure representation from a broad geographic spectrum—spanning the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Croatia, Poland, and France—thereby guaranteeing that the federation’s policies are inclusive and considerate of the varied regulatory and cultural landscapes across Europe. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, internationally diverse board signal a renewed commitment by the European Games Developer Federation to champion the interests of its members. Through targeted actions aimed at improving funding access, nurturing talent, leveraging AI, and raising the global profile of European games, EGDF is poised to guide the continent’s developers toward a more prosperous and innovative future.