The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue at the helm as its president for another term, coinciding with the announcement of the federation’s new board for the 2026‑2028 period. Lesser’s re‑election signals continuity in the organization’s strategic direction, while the refreshed board brings together a diverse mix of industry veterans and representatives from key national associations across Europe.
Two notable departures were announced alongside the new appointments. David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, the studio director of No Brakes Games, have stepped down from their board positions. Their exits make way for a slate of fresh faces who are expected to drive EGDF’s agenda forward.
The newly constituted board is composed of the following members: - **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 advocacy, positioning her to bridge the gap between independent developers and larger market players. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association.
Hiltunen’s background in Finnish game development policy and community building equips the board with insight into the Nordic market’s unique challenges and opportunities. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and member of the Stockholm Region Business Council. Strömbäck’s dual involvement in cultural initiatives and regional economic development offers a valuable perspective on how games can contribute to broader societal goals.
- **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 his work in fostering cross‑border collaboration make him a strong advocate for emerging studios in Central and Eastern Europe. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation. Marszalkowski’s experience in organizing large‑scale industry events and supporting indie developers adds a vital dimension to the board’s outreach capabilities.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV) in France. Kaplan’s leadership of the French games union brings a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, labor issues, and market dynamics within one of Europe’s largest gaming economies. Together, this collective brings a blend of operational expertise, policy knowledge, and advocacy experience that the EGDF intends to leverage in its upcoming initiatives.
The federation’s strategic plan for the 2026‑2028 term centers on three core pillars: enhancing developers’ position within the value chain, expanding access to financial resources, and strengthening talent pipelines and skill development programs. In its official statement, the EGDF emphasized its commitment to “providing a clear route to the top of the value chain” for European game creators. This phrasing reflects the organization’s ambition to help studios move beyond early‑stage development and secure larger publishing deals, distribution agreements, and international market exposure. By improving funding mechanisms—through both public‑sector grants and private‑sector investment—EGDF aims to reduce the financial bottlenecks that often impede growth for midsize and emerging developers.
Talent acquisition and skill development are also high on the agenda. The federation plans to work closely with educational institutions, vocational training providers, and industry mentors to create a more robust pipeline of qualified professionals. Initiatives may include scholarship programs, apprenticeship schemes, and cross‑border talent exchange workshops, all designed to address skill shortages in areas such as AI integration, advanced graphics, and multiplayer networking. "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 press release read.
This commitment underscores a dual focus: nurturing the domestic ecosystem while also projecting a unified European brand on the world stage. By consolidating the voices of national associations and individual studios, EGDF hopes to amplify advocacy efforts in Brussels and beyond, influencing policy decisions that affect taxation, intellectual property, and cross‑border trade.
A particularly forward‑looking element of the federation’s roadmap is its intention to become the first AI‑focused European trade association within the gaming sector. Recognizing that the game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—from procedural content generation to player‑behavior analytics—the EGDF aims to establish standards, best practices, and ethical guidelines for AI usage.
This initiative could involve partnerships with research institutions, AI startups, and technology providers to ensure that European developers can harness AI responsibly while maintaining creative control. Earlier in the week, the EGDF collaborated with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report paints a vivid picture of a thriving market: in 2024, the European games sector generated approximately €24 billion in revenue, supporting more than 6,600 studios and employing over 95,000 individuals across the continent. These figures highlight the sector’s significance not only as a cultural force but also as a major economic driver.
The data from the report will likely inform EGDF’s policy advocacy and funding strategies. For example, the federation may use the demonstrated economic impact to lobby for increased public investment in game development hubs, tax incentives for research and development, and supportive immigration policies that attract top talent from around the world. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a new, geographically diverse board signal a period of both stability and renewal for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear agenda that blends financial support, talent cultivation, AI leadership, and global promotion, EGDF is positioning itself to guide Europe’s game industry through the next phase of growth and innovation.
The federation’s efforts aim to ensure that European studios—whether indie pioneers or established publishers—can compete on an equal footing with their counterparts worldwide, while also contributing to the cultural and economic fabric of the continent.