Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), securing a second term as its president as the association unveils its board of directors for the 2026‑2028 period. The announcement comes alongside the departure of two prominent figures in the European gaming community: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, both of whom have stepped down from their board positions.
The refreshed EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of national and regional game development bodies: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing extensive experience in both studio operations and national advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, known for championing Finnish indie developers and fostering cross‑border collaborations. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering insight into cultural policy and regional economic development. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, providing a strategic perspective on market expansion and partnership building.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, adding expertise in event organization and indie ecosystem support. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and bringing a strong voice in European regulatory discussions. Together, this new leadership team has laid out a clear agenda for the coming biennium, centered on creating a "route to the top of the value chain" for European game creators. The federation’s strategic priorities include: 1.
**Enhanced Funding Pathways** – EGDF intends to streamline access to public and private capital, working closely with EU cultural funds, national grant programs, and venture capital networks to ensure that developers of all sizes can secure the financial resources needed for ambitious projects. 2. **Talent Development and Mobility** – By partnering with educational institutions, training providers, and apprenticeship schemes, the federation aims to cultivate a skilled workforce and facilitate cross‑border talent exchange, helping studios fill critical roles more efficiently.
3. **Skill‑Building Initiatives** – EGDF will launch workshops, mentorship programmes, and knowledge‑sharing platforms focused on emerging technologies, production pipelines, and business acumen, thereby raising the overall competency level of the European gaming sector. 4.
**Ecosystem Monitoring and Advocacy** – The organization pledges to continue its role as a watchdog and advocate for the industry, tracking market trends, regulatory changes, and technological developments to inform policy makers and promote a favourable business environment. 5. **Global Visibility and Branding** – A concerted effort will be made to raise the profile of European games on the world stage, through participation in major trade shows, coordinated marketing campaigns, and strategic partnerships with international media outlets.
In a statement released by the federation, the leadership emphasized that the European game industry is at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence‑driven tools and methodologies. As such, EGDF has set an ambitious goal to become the first AI‑centric European trade association, positioning itself as a hub for best practices, ethical guidelines, and collaborative research on AI applications in game design, testing, and distribution. The announcement follows the recent publication of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a joint effort by EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE).
The report highlighted the robust health of the sector, noting that European game studios generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024. Moreover, the industry now comprises more than 6,600 development studios employing upwards of 95,000 professionals across the continent, underscoring its significance as both a cultural and economic driver. Industry observers view the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser as a sign of continuity and confidence in the federation’s direction.
Lesser, who has been instrumental in forging partnerships with European institutions and advocating for supportive legislation, said, "Our mission is to ensure that every developer, whether a solo indie creator or a mid‑size studio, has a clear pathway to grow, innovate, and compete globally. By improving access to capital, talent, and cutting‑edge skills, we can elevate the entire European ecosystem." The newly appointed board members bring complementary strengths that are expected to accelerate these objectives. Martine Spaans, for instance, will leverage her dual role in studio management and national association leadership to bridge gaps between grassroots developers and policy makers. Meanwhile, KooPee Hiltunen’s experience with the Finnish gaming community will help replicate successful models of public‑private collaboration in other regions.
Looking ahead, EGDF plans to roll out a series of concrete programmes, including a pan‑European funding matchmaking portal, a talent exchange network for apprenticeships, and an AI‑focused research hub that will publish guidelines and case studies on responsible AI use in games. The federation also intends to host an annual summit that brings together developers, investors, educators, and regulators to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities. In summary, the European Games Developer Federation’s refreshed leadership and clarified strategic roadmap signal a proactive stance toward strengthening the continent’s gaming industry. By focusing on funding accessibility, talent cultivation, skill development, and AI integration, EGDF aims to not only sustain the sector’s impressive economic performance but also to enhance its cultural impact and global competitiveness over the next two years.