Hendrik Lesser has secured a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the unveiling of the organization’s new board for the 2026‑2028 period. The announcement also noted the departure of two notable members: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio. Their resignations open space for fresh perspectives within the federation’s governing body. The refreshed EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry professionals representing a broad geographic and functional spectrum across Europe’s gaming ecosystem: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing operational expertise and a deep understanding of the Dutch market.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, tasked with championing Finnish game development and fostering cross‑border collaborations. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering insights 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 blend of commercial strategy and community building experience.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for organizing high‑impact events that connect indie creators with investors and publishers. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and advocating for policy reforms at the national level. Together, this board is set to steer EGDF through a strategic agenda that emphasizes three core pillars: creating a clear pathway for developers to ascend the value chain, expanding access to financial resources, and bolstering the talent pipeline and skill acquisition mechanisms across the continent.
The federation’s statement highlighted its commitment to monitoring and facilitating the growth of Europe’s game‑industry ecosystem. By strengthening ties with studios of varying sizes—from burgeoning indie teams to established multinational publishers—EGDF aims to amplify the sector’s visibility on the global stage. The organization also underscored its intention to act as a catalyst for cross‑border collaboration, encouraging knowledge exchange and joint ventures that can accelerate innovation. A particularly forward‑looking element of EGDF’s roadmap is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association in the gaming sector.
Recognizing that the video‑game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—whether for procedural content generation, player behavior analytics, or automated testing—the federation plans to embed AI into its own operational framework. This could involve leveraging machine‑learning algorithms to match developers with suitable funding opportunities, predict market trends, and streamline regulatory compliance processes. In parallel with these strategic initiatives, EGDF recently partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024.
The comprehensive study revealed that the European gaming market generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024, underscoring the sector’s substantial economic contribution. Moreover, the report documented the presence of more than 6,600 active studios employing upwards of 95,000 professionals across the continent, reflecting a vibrant and diverse talent pool. These figures not only illustrate the sector’s fiscal significance but also highlight the potential impact of EGDF’s upcoming programs.
By improving funding pathways, the federation hopes to enable studios—especially smaller indie developers—to secure the capital needed for prototype development, scaling production, and international market entry. Enhanced talent initiatives may include mentorship schemes, apprenticeship programs, and partnerships with academic institutions to align curricula with industry needs. The board’s composition also signals a deliberate effort to balance representation from both Western and Eastern Europe, ensuring that policy recommendations and support mechanisms consider the distinct challenges faced by developers in different regulatory and economic environments.
For instance, the inclusion of representatives from Finland, Croatia, Poland, and France provides a platform for sharing best practices on topics such as tax incentives, export financing, and intellectual‑property protection. Looking ahead, EGDF plans to host a series of workshops, webinars, and networking events designed to foster collaboration among developers, investors, and service providers. These gatherings will focus on emerging technologies—such as virtual reality, cloud gaming, and AI‑enhanced design tools—while also addressing practical concerns like market access, distribution strategies, and sustainability in game production. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, geographically diverse board mark a pivotal moment for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear agenda centered on financial accessibility, talent development, and AI integration, EGDF is poised to strengthen Europe’s position as a leading hub for innovative game creation and to ensure that its member studios can thrive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.