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 board for the 2026‑2028 term. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent figures: 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 various national and regional gaming organisations: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, bringing extensive experience from the Nordic development scene. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, known for his advocacy of cultural initiatives within gaming. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, a platform that promotes local talent. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, and a key organiser of industry events across Central Europe.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers on a national level. Together, these six individuals form a board that reflects a broad geographic spread—from the Benelux region and Scandinavia to Central and Southern Europe—ensuring that the federation’s strategic decisions will be informed by a wide range of perspectives within the European gaming ecosystem.
### Strategic Priorities for 2026‑2028 The EGDF has laid out an ambitious agenda for the coming two‑year period, centering on three core pillars that it believes will elevate European game creators along the industry value chain: 1. **Enhanced Access to Funding** – The federation plans to negotiate more favourable financing schemes with both public institutions and private investors.
By acting as an intermediary, EGDF hopes to streamline the application process for grants, tax incentives, and venture capital, making it easier for studios—especially small and medium‑sized enterprises—to secure the capital needed for development, marketing, and international expansion. 2. **Talent Development and Skills Building** – Recognising that a skilled workforce is the backbone of any thriving sector, EGDF will launch a series of training programmes, mentorship schemes, and cross‑border apprenticeship opportunities. These initiatives aim to close skill gaps in areas such as game design, programming, art production, and emerging technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality.
3. **Visibility and Market Reach** – To raise the profile of European games on the global stage, the federation intends to coordinate joint promotional campaigns, participate in major international trade shows, and facilitate partnerships with distributors and platform holders.
By showcasing the diversity and quality of European titles, EGDF hopes to attract new audiences and strengthen export revenues. In a statement accompanying the board announcement, EGDF emphasized its commitment to monitoring the health of the European game industry ecosystem and fostering collaboration among studios across the continent. "Our goal is to act as a catalyst that connects developers with the resources they need, while also amplifying the collective voice of European creators in global discussions," the federation said.
### Embracing Artificial Intelligence One of the more forward‑looking objectives highlighted by the federation is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association for games. The EGDF acknowledges that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to advanced analytics for player behaviour. By integrating AI into its own operations, the association aims to improve decision‑making, streamline administrative tasks, and provide members with data‑backed insights that can inform product development and market strategy. ### Industry Context: 2024 Insights Earlier in the week, EGDF partnered 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 landscape, revealing that the sector generated approximately €24 billion in revenue during the year.
More than 6,600 development studios were active across Europe, collectively employing over 95,000 individuals in roles spanning design, programming, art, marketing, and support functions. These figures underscore the sector’s significance as a major economic driver and a source of high‑skill employment.
They also highlight the potential for further growth, especially as emerging technologies—such as cloud gaming, immersive experiences, and AI‑enhanced development pipelines—continue to reshape how games are created and consumed. ### Looking Ahead With Hendrik Lesser at the helm once more, and a board composed of seasoned leaders from across the European gaming community, the EGDF is positioned to pursue its strategic goals with renewed vigor. By focusing on funding accessibility, talent cultivation, and global visibility, while also pioneering AI integration, the federation aims to strengthen the European game development ecosystem and ensure that its members can compete effectively on the world stage. The coming two years will be pivotal for the association as it seeks to translate its agenda into concrete actions that benefit developers of all sizes—from indie studios launching their first titles to established publishers expanding into new markets.
Stakeholders, investors, and policymakers alike will be watching closely to see how EGDF’s initiatives influence the trajectory of Europe’s vibrant and rapidly evolving gaming industry.