The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its new board for the 2026‑2028 term and announced that Hendrik Lesser will continue in his role as president following a successful re‑election. Lesser’s continued leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the European game‑development community, as the federation seeks to deepen its support structures and broaden the reach of its member studios across the continent. In addition to the reaffirmation of Lesser’s presidency, the board saw the departure of two notable figures: David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of the Homo Ludens collective, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, who has been serving as the studio director for No Brakes Games.
Both individuals have contributed significantly to the federation’s initiatives during their tenure, and their exits open space for fresh perspectives on the board. The refreshed EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry professionals, each bringing a distinct set of experiences and regional insights: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans has a strong background in operational management and advocacy for Dutch developers, positioning her to champion cross‑border collaborations. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association.
Hiltunen’s work has focused on nurturing Finland’s vibrant indie scene and fostering partnerships between Finnish studios and international publishers. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and member of the Stockholm Region Business Council.
Strömbäck is known for his policy‑driven approach to cultural funding and his efforts to integrate gaming into broader creative economies. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. Mitic’s entrepreneurial track record and network across Central and Eastern Europe are expected to boost the federation’s outreach in those markets. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation.
Marszalkowski brings event‑organising expertise and a deep connection to Poland’s thriving indie ecosystem. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV) in France. Kaplan’s experience in French labor regulations and her advocacy for creator rights will be valuable for shaping EU‑wide standards. Together, this six‑person board is tasked with steering EGDF’s strategic agenda for the next two years.
Central to that agenda is the ambition to create “a route to the top of the value chain” for European developers. In practical terms, this means expanding access to capital, facilitating talent mobility, and enhancing skill‑building programmes that align with the fast‑evolving technological landscape of game creation. The federation’s public statement underscores several concrete objectives. First, EGDF will continue to monitor the health of the European game‑industry ecosystem, acting as a watchdog that identifies bottlenecks and opportunities for growth.
Second, the organization plans to deepen collaboration with studios of all sizes—from indie teams to large multinational publishers—by offering networking platforms, joint‑venture matchmaking, and shared research resources. A particularly forward‑looking component of the EGDF’s roadmap is its commitment to elevate the global visibility of European games.
By leveraging international trade shows, digital showcases, and targeted media campaigns, the federation aims to position European titles as competitive alternatives to dominant markets such as North America and East Asia. This visibility boost is expected to attract foreign investment, encourage cross‑regional co‑development, and ultimately increase export revenues for European studios. In line with the broader industry trend toward artificial intelligence, the EGDF has also set an ambitious internal goal: to become the first AI‑driven European trade association. The federation intends to integrate AI tools into its operational workflows—ranging from data analytics that track market trends, to automated matchmaking services that connect developers with suitable funding sources or technical partners.
By pioneering AI adoption, EGDF hopes to streamline decision‑making for its members and provide real‑time insights that can accelerate project timelines and improve product quality. The timing of these initiatives 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 sector’s economic impact: European game companies generated approximately €24 billion in turnover during 2024. Moreover, the industry now encompasses more than 6,600 studios, collectively employing over 95,000 individuals across a wide spectrum of roles—from programmers and artists to marketers and community managers.
These figures illustrate not only the financial weight of gaming within the European economy but also its significance as a major source of high‑skill employment. The report highlights regional disparities, noting that while Western Europe continues to dominate in terms of revenue, Central and Eastern European hubs are experiencing rapid growth, driven by lower operational costs and a surge of talent graduating from specialized game‑development programs. In response to these trends, the EGDF board plans to launch a series of targeted interventions.
For example, a new mentorship scheme will pair emerging studios with seasoned veterans from the board’s network, facilitating knowledge transfer on topics such as live‑ops management, monetisation strategies, and compliance with emerging data‑privacy regulations. Additionally, the federation will negotiate with EU funding bodies to secure dedicated grants for projects that incorporate cutting‑edge technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI‑enhanced gameplay mechanics. Another pillar of the upcoming strategy is education.
EGDF intends to collaborate with universities, vocational schools, and private training providers to develop curricula that reflect current industry needs. By aligning academic programmes with real‑world skill demands—such as shader programming, network security for multiplayer environments, and user‑experience design—the federation hopes to reduce the talent gap that many studios currently face. Finally, the board acknowledges the importance of sustainability and ethical considerations in modern game development. Plans are underway to draft a set of best‑practice guidelines that address issues ranging from carbon‑footprint reduction in server infrastructure to responsible monetisation models that avoid exploitative microtransactions.
These guidelines will be disseminated through webinars, white‑papers, and an online resource hub accessible to all EGDF members. In summary, the re‑elected leadership under Hendrik Lesser, supported by a refreshed board representing a broad geographic and functional cross‑section of the European game industry, is poised to drive a period of growth, innovation, and increased global prominence for European developers.
By focusing on funding pathways, talent development, AI integration, and sustainable practices, the EGDF aims to ensure that Europe remains a vibrant and competitive hub for game creation well into the future.