The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its governing board for the 2026‑2028 term, and the organization’s founder, Hendrik Lesser, has been re‑elected to continue as its president. Lesser’s renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the European gaming sector, as the federation sets out an ambitious roadmap designed to elevate game creators across the continent and to strengthen the industry’s position on the global stage. In a recent announcement, the EGDF disclosed that two senior figures will be stepping away from their board responsibilities.
David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio, have both decided to resign, making room for fresh voices and new expertise to guide the federation’s initiatives. The freshly appointed board now includes a diverse group of professionals representing a broad spectrum of the European gaming ecosystem: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a role that places him at the heart of Finland’s vibrant indie and mid‑size development community.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a blend of cultural insight and regional economic strategy. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, giving him a unique perspective on business growth and cross‑border collaboration.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie talent and organizing industry gatherings. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and contributing a strong policy‑making background. Collectively, these six individuals will steer EGDF’s strategic direction, focusing on three core pillars that the federation has identified as essential for the sector’s continued expansion.
First, the organization intends to construct a clearer "route to the top of the value chain" for developers, meaning that studios of all sizes will gain better access to the higher‑margin segments of the market, such as publishing, distribution, and post‑launch services. Second, EGDF will prioritize enhanced access to capital, aiming to simplify the process through which developers secure financing, whether via public grants, private investment, or EU‑wide funding programmes. Third, the federation will invest heavily in talent development, offering training, mentorship and networking opportunities to bridge skill gaps and nurture the next generation of creators. "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 federation’s statement read.
This commitment underscores EGDF’s role as both a watchdog and a catalyst, ensuring that policy decisions, market trends and technological advances are aligned with the interests of European developers. A particularly forward‑looking component of the agenda is the federation’s ambition to become the first AI‑focused trade association in Europe.
Recognising that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to advanced analytics—the EGDF plans to embed AI expertise into its operations. This could involve creating standards for ethical AI use, facilitating workshops on AI‑driven design, and lobbying for regulatory frameworks that support innovation while protecting creators’ rights.
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 paints a robust picture of the continent’s gaming economy: in 2024, European studios generated roughly €24 billion in revenue, a figure that reflects both the sheer scale of the market and its resilience amid broader economic fluctuations. Moreover, the sector employs more than 95 000 individuals across over 6 600 studios, highlighting its significance as a major employer and cultural driver.
These statistics provide a quantitative backdrop for EGDF’s strategic priorities. With such a sizable workforce and a multi‑billion‑euro turnover, the federation argues that the industry must be equipped with the tools and networks necessary to sustain growth.
By improving funding pathways, the organization hopes to reduce the financial friction that many mid‑size and indie studios encounter when attempting to scale up or enter new markets. Talent initiatives, meanwhile, are designed to address the skills shortage that can hinder innovation, especially in emerging areas like virtual reality, cloud gaming and AI integration. The new board members bring complementary expertise that will help translate these goals into concrete actions.
For instance, Spaans’ dual role in a commercial studio and a national association positions her to bridge the gap between business needs and policy advocacy. Hiltunen’s experience with the Finnish gaming community will inform initiatives aimed at supporting smaller studios that often rely on community‑driven funding models. Strömbäck’s involvement in cultural foundations can help embed gaming more firmly within Europe’s broader creative industries, while Mitic’s cross‑border activities will be valuable for fostering collaboration between Eastern and Western European developers.
Marszalkowski’s background in conference organization will likely enhance EGDF’s event portfolio, creating more platforms for knowledge exchange, partnership formation and showcase opportunities. Finally, Kaplan’s leadership within the French syndicate will ensure that the federation’s policies are aligned with the regulatory environments of some of Europe’s largest markets.
In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a refreshed, multidisciplinary board signal a period of strategic renewal for the European Games Developer Federation. By concentrating on funding access, talent development, value‑chain integration, and AI leadership, EGDF aims to reinforce Europe’s position as a vibrant, innovative hub for game creation.
The federation’s forthcoming actions, backed by the strong economic indicators highlighted in the 2024 industry report, are set to shape the trajectory of European gaming for the next several years.