The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 term, and in the process reaffirmed Hendrik Lesser as its president. Lesser, who has been a prominent figure in the European gaming community, secured another term at the helm, signalling continuity in the federation’s strategic direction. Two notable departures were announced alongside the board reshuffle.
David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, the studio director of No Brakes Games, have both stepped down from their previous roles within the EGDF structure. Their exits open space for fresh perspectives and new leadership to guide the association’s initiatives. The newly appointed board members bring a diverse range of experience from across the continent: - **Martine Spaans** – currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holding the position of General Manager for the Dutch Games Association. Her dual roles give her insight into both studio operations and national industry advocacy.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – director of the Neogames Finland Association, where she has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among Finnish developers and promoting the country’s growing indie scene. - **Per Strömbäck** – a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and an active participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering a blend of cultural policy expertise and regional economic development knowledge.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. His background spans business growth, industry networking, and event organization. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – leader of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, providing a strong connection to the Polish indie ecosystem and conference‑driven knowledge sharing.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – director general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the interests of French game developers at a national level and bringing a wealth of policy‑making experience. The EGDF’s agenda for the 2026‑2028 period is built around three core pillars: enhancing developers’ pathways to the upper tiers of the value chain, expanding access to financial resources, and strengthening the talent pipeline through targeted skill‑building programs. The federation emphasizes that these objectives are essential for maintaining Europe’s competitive edge in a market increasingly dominated by large, multinational publishers. In a formal statement, the EGDF highlighted its commitment to monitoring and nurturing the European game‑development ecosystem.
The organization plans to deepen collaboration with studios across the continent, facilitate cross‑border partnerships, and elevate the global profile of European games. By doing so, EGDF hopes to showcase the region’s creative diversity, technical innovation, and cultural richness on the world stage.
A notable element of the federation’s forward‑looking strategy is its focus on artificial intelligence. Recognising that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of AI adoption—whether through procedural content generation, advanced analytics, or adaptive gameplay mechanics—EGDF has set an ambitious goal: to become the first AI‑driven European trade association. This ambition entails integrating AI tools into the federation’s own operations, as well as supporting members in responsibly leveraging AI technologies to enhance game design, production efficiency, and market research. The announcement comes on the heels of a collaborative effort between EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE), which produced the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024.
The report paints a robust picture of the continent’s gaming landscape: in 2024, the European games sector generated approximately €24 billion in revenue, a figure that underscores the industry’s economic significance. Moreover, the sector comprises more than 6,600 studios employing upwards of 95,000 professionals, ranging from programmers and artists to marketers and business developers. These statistics illustrate not only the scale of the market but also the breadth of talent that underpins it. The EGDF’s upcoming initiatives aim to nurture this talent pool by offering workshops, mentorship schemes, and networking events designed to bridge gaps between emerging developers and established studios.
By facilitating knowledge transfer and providing clearer routes to financing—through grants, venture capital connections, and public‑private partnerships—the federation seeks to reduce barriers that often impede small and mid‑size studios from scaling up. In addition to financial and skill‑development support, EGDF plans to advocate for regulatory frameworks that protect intellectual property, ensure fair competition, and promote sustainable business practices.
The board intends to work closely with European Union institutions, national governments, and industry bodies to shape policies that reflect the unique needs of game creators while fostering a healthy, innovative ecosystem. Overall, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a seasoned, geographically diverse board signal a period of strategic continuity paired with fresh ideas. As the European games industry continues to grow in both economic impact and cultural influence, the EGDF’s renewed focus on funding access, talent cultivation, and AI integration positions it as a pivotal catalyst for the sector’s next wave of evolution.