The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has officially announced the composition of its board for the 2026‑2028 term, confirming that Hendrik Lesser has been re‑elected to continue serving as the federation’s president. Lesser’s renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the European games sector, which is seeking to consolidate its growth, enhance its competitive edge, and broaden its influence on the global stage.
Two prominent figures stepped away from the board at the end of the previous term: David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, the studio director at No Brakes Games. Their departures opened space for a fresh set of leaders drawn from a diverse cross‑section of the continent’s gaming ecosystem. The newly appointed board members bring a blend of operational expertise, policy experience, and industry advocacy that reflects EGDF’s ambition to serve as a catalyst for the entire European game development community.
The updated board now includes: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans is known for her work in nurturing indie talent in the Netherlands and for fostering cross‑border collaborations among Dutch studios. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a body that supports Finnish developers through networking events, funding advice, and market research.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, bringing a strong cultural‑policy perspective to the federation’s strategic planning. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo, Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, offering deep insight into the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe. - **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 facilitating knowledge exchange across the region. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and advocating for policy frameworks that support sustainable growth.
Together, this collective of seasoned professionals is tasked with steering EGDF’s agenda for the next two years. Central to that agenda is the federation’s commitment to providing developers with "a route to the top of the value chain," a phrase that encapsulates EGDF’s intention to help studios move beyond basic production and into higher‑margin activities such as publishing, IP ownership, and international distribution.
To achieve this, the federation has outlined three core pillars: 1. **Enhanced Access to Funding** – EGDF will work closely with European Union bodies, national ministries, and private investors to streamline grant applications, create new financing instruments, and raise awareness of existing funding opportunities. By acting as an intermediary, the federation hopes to reduce the administrative burden on developers and accelerate the flow of capital to promising projects. 2.
**Talent Development and Skills Training** – Recognising that a skilled workforce is the backbone of any thriving industry, EGDF plans to expand its mentorship programmes, organise specialised workshops, and partner with universities and vocational schools. The goal is to equip both emerging and established developers with the latest technical know‑how, from advanced game engine usage to emerging fields such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and procedural content generation.
3. **Strengthening the European Game Ecosystem** – The federation will continue to monitor market trends, facilitate collaboration among studios, and promote the European brand abroad. This includes lobbying for favourable regulatory conditions, supporting cross‑border co‑production agreements, and amplifying the visibility of European titles at major international events such as Gamescom, GDC, and the Tokyo Game Show. In its public statement, EGDF emphasised that the organization will maintain a vigilant eye on the evolving landscape of the European game industry, fostering stronger ties with development studios across the continent and boosting the sector’s global profile.
The federation also highlighted its ambition to become a pioneer in the integration of artificial intelligence within trade associations. Given that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of AI adoption—whether through procedural generation, player‑behaviour analytics, or automated testing—EGDF aims to be the first European trade body to operate on an AI‑driven model, leveraging data‑rich insights to inform policy, funding allocation, and strategic initiatives. The timing of these announcements coincides with the release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a collaborative effort between EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE). The report paints a vivid picture of a robust and expanding market: European game studios generated approximately €24 billion in turnover during 2024, a figure that underscores the sector’s economic significance.
Moreover, the industry supports more than 6,600 studios and employs upwards of 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles, from programming and art design to marketing and community management. These statistics not only validate the sector’s contribution to the European economy but also highlight the potential for further growth. The report points to several trends shaping the future of European gaming, including the rise of live‑service models, increased investment in cloud‑based gaming platforms, and a surge in cross‑regional collaborations that tap into the continent’s linguistic and cultural diversity. EGDF’s strategic focus on funding, talent, and ecosystem cohesion is directly aligned with these trends, aiming to create a fertile environment where innovative ideas can flourish and reach a global audience.
Looking ahead, the federation’s board members are expected to convene regularly with stakeholders—including developers, publishers, academic institutions, and policy makers—to refine action plans, assess progress, and adjust strategies in response to market dynamics. By fostering an inclusive dialogue and championing the interests of both large studios and indie creators, EGDF hopes to solidify Europe’s reputation as a hub of creativity, technological excellence, and sustainable industry practices. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a new, diverse board signal a renewed commitment to advancing the European games sector. With a clear roadmap that prioritises funding accessibility, skill development, and ecosystem integration—augmented by a forward‑looking AI strategy—EGDF is poised to play a decisive role in shaping the next chapter of European game development, ensuring that the continent remains a vibrant, competitive, and innovative player on the world stage.