The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue at the helm as its president, following his re‑election during the announcement of the federation’s 2026‑2028 governing board. Lesser’s renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the European gaming sector, which is seeking to strengthen its competitive edge, attract investment, and nurture the next generation of creative talent across the continent.
Two notable departures were also disclosed in the same communication. David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of the Homo Ludens collective, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, the studio director of No Brakes Games, have stepped down from their positions on the EGDF board. Their exits open space for fresh perspectives and new expertise to guide the federation’s strategic direction. The freshly appointed board now comprises a diverse group of industry leaders representing a broad geographic and functional spectrum: - **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, offering insight into the Nordic game development ecosystem and its strong emphasis on innovation. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a blend of cultural policy knowledge and regional economic development expertise.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, giving him a deep understanding of Central‑Eastern European market dynamics and startup support. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, representing the vibrant indie scene and event‑driven networking. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, the French national video‑game union, adding a strong voice for French developers and policy lobbying.
Together, this board is tasked with executing EGDF’s two‑year agenda, which centers on creating a clear "route to the top of the value chain" for European developers. The federation plans to achieve this by improving three core pillars: 1. **Funding Access** – EGDF will work closely with public and private financiers, EU cultural funds, and venture capital networks to simplify the application process, increase transparency, and broaden the pool of capital available to studios of all sizes. Initiatives may include matchmaking events, grant‑writing workshops, and a centralized database of funding opportunities.
2. **Talent Development** – Recognising that skilled personnel are the lifeblood of the industry, the federation intends to expand apprenticeship schemes, university partnerships, and mentorship programmes. By linking experienced professionals with emerging creators, EGDF aims to close skill gaps in areas such as game design, programming, art, and production management. 3.
**Skill Enhancement** – Beyond basic talent pipelines, EGDF will promote continuous professional development through online courses, certification tracks, and industry‑led seminars. Topics will range from emerging technologies like virtual reality and cloud gaming to business‑focused subjects such as monetisation strategies, intellectual‑property law, and international market entry. In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF emphasized its commitment to monitoring and facilitating the growth of Europe’s gaming ecosystem. The federation highlighted its role as a connector between developers, policymakers, and investors, aiming to raise the global profile of European games and ensure that the continent remains a fertile ground for creative and commercial success.
A particularly forward‑looking element of EGDF’s strategy is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association for the gaming sector. As the industry increasingly adopts artificial‑intelligence tools for everything from procedural content generation to player analytics, EGDF plans to embed AI into its own operations—optimising member services, forecasting market trends, and delivering data‑rich insights to stakeholders.
Earlier in the week, EGDF partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to publish the *European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024*. The report paints a robust picture of the market: European game companies generated roughly €24 billion in revenue 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 professionals across a wide array of roles, from artists and programmers to marketers and business developers. These statistics not only validate the importance of EGDF’s upcoming initiatives but also illustrate the scale of impact that improved funding, talent pipelines, and skill development can have on the broader European economy.
By fostering a more cohesive and well‑supported ecosystem, the federation hopes to attract further investment, encourage cross‑border collaborations, and ultimately position Europe as a leading hub for innovative, high‑quality games on the world stage. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a new, geographically diverse board signal a renewed focus on strategic growth for the European games industry. With clear objectives around financing, talent cultivation, and AI integration, EGDF is poised to guide its members through the evolving landscape of game development, ensuring that European creators have the resources, knowledge, and visibility needed to thrive in a highly competitive global market.