Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), securing a second term as its president while the organization revealed the composition of its 2026‑2028 governing board. 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 newly constituted EGDF board now includes a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of European gaming 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 game advocacy.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a key player in supporting Finnish developers and fostering cross‑border collaborations. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and member of 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, combining commercial acumen with a strong network in the Balkans. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie creators and organizing industry events. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French video‑game sector and advocating for creators’ rights at a national level. Together, this board is tasked with steering the federation through a period of rapid change and growth.
In its strategic outline for the 2026‑2028 term, EGDF emphasizes a commitment to providing developers with "a route to the top of the value chain," meaning that studios of all sizes should have clearer pathways to higher‑value activities such as publishing, international distribution, and advanced monetisation models. The federation also plans to improve the accessibility of funding mechanisms, whether through public grants, private investment, or EU‑wide programmes designed to stimulate creative industries. Talent development is another cornerstone of the agenda.
EGDF intends to launch a series of initiatives aimed at closing skills gaps that have become more pronounced as games incorporate sophisticated technologies like real‑time ray tracing, cloud‑based multiplayer infrastructures, and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. By partnering with educational institutions, vocational schools, and online learning platforms, the federation hopes to create a pipeline that equips aspiring developers with the technical and artistic competencies required for modern game production. "The EGDF will continue to monitor and facilitate the development of the European game industry ecosystem, strengthen its collaboration with European game development studios, and increase the European game industry's global visibility," the organization stated in its press release. This statement underscores a dual focus: internally, the federation will act as a watchdog and support hub for member studios; externally, it will promote the European sector on the world stage, seeking to attract investment, talent, and media attention.
A particularly forward‑looking element of the plan is the federation's ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association for games. Recognising that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of adopting AI‑based tools—ranging from procedural content generation and player‑behaviour analytics to automated testing and localisation—EGDF aims to embed artificial‑intelligence capabilities into its own operations. This could involve using AI to streamline member services, predict market trends, or even facilitate matchmaking between developers and potential partners. The timing of these announcements coincides with the release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a joint effort by EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE).
The report provides a snapshot of the continent's gaming landscape, revealing that the industry generated approximately €24 billion in revenue during 2024. It also highlighted the sector's scale in terms of employment: more than 6,600 studios collectively employed over 95,000 individuals across Europe, encompassing roles from programming and design to marketing and community management. These figures illustrate both the economic weight and the employment potential of the European games market, reinforcing the federation's argument for increased support and investment. The report further breaks down growth trends, noting that mobile and live‑service games continue to drive a substantial share of revenue, while emerging technologies such as virtual reality and cloud gaming are beginning to carve out niche but rapidly expanding markets.
In response to these dynamics, EGDF's board plans to launch several concrete programmes over the next two years. One initiative will focus on creating a pan‑European funding portal that aggregates national, regional, and EU‑level grant opportunities, making it easier for developers to discover and apply for financial support. Another will establish a mentorship network linking seasoned studio leaders with early‑stage indie teams, facilitating knowledge transfer and helping newcomers navigate the complexities of publishing contracts, intellectual‑property rights, and international market entry. Education‑focused projects will include a series of workshops and webinars covering topics such as AI‑assisted game design, ethical considerations in data collection, and best practices for remote development workflows—issues that have become especially relevant in the post‑pandemic era.
By collaborating with universities and technical schools, EGDF hopes to embed these curricula into formal degree programmes, thereby ensuring that graduates enter the workforce with up‑to‑date, industry‑relevant skills. Finally, the federation intends to amplify its advocacy efforts at the EU level, lobbying for policies that protect creators, promote fair competition, and encourage cross‑border collaboration. This includes pushing for tax incentives that reward research and development in gaming, as well as seeking harmonised regulations around digital distribution and consumer protection.
In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a seasoned, multinational board signal a renewed commitment to strengthening Europe's gaming ecosystem. By targeting funding accessibility, talent cultivation, AI integration, and policy advocacy, EGDF aims to position the continent as a leading hub for innovative, high‑quality game development over the 2026‑2028 period and beyond.