Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) as its president, coinciding with the federation’s announcement of the new board that will serve from 2026 through 2028. The leadership change comes after the departure of two prominent figures in the European gaming scene: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the indie studio No Brakes Games.
Both have decided to step down from their board positions, making room for fresh perspectives and renewed energy within the organization. The freshly appointed EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of national and regional gaming associations. The members are: - **Martine Spaans**, who serves as Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holds the role of General Manager for the Dutch Games Association. Her dual responsibilities give her a unique view of both studio operations and broader industry advocacy in the Netherlands.
- **KooPee Hiltunen**, Director of the Neogames Finland Association, bringing extensive experience in supporting Finnish developers and promoting Finland’s strong tradition of innovative game design. - **Per Strömbäck**, a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and a member of the Stockholm Region Business Council, who provides insight into the intersection of gaming, culture, and regional economic development.
- **Hrvoje Mitic**, Head of Business Development at GamesCo, Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, a platform that showcases Croatian talent on the international stage. - **Jakub Marszalkowski**, Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing independent developers across Central Europe. - **Vanessa Kaplan**, Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French video‑game sector and its extensive network of creators, publishers, and service providers. Together, these six individuals form a board that reflects the geographic and functional breadth of Europe’s game development community.
Their combined expertise spans studio management, association leadership, cultural policy, business development, conference organization, and national advocacy, positioning the EGDF to address a wide spectrum of industry challenges. In its strategic plan for the 2026‑2028 period, the EGDF has outlined a clear agenda focused on elevating developers’ positions within the value chain. The federation intends to create more direct routes for studios—especially smaller and mid‑size firms—to access the higher‑value segments of production, publishing, and distribution. To achieve this, the EGDF will concentrate on three core pillars: enhanced funding opportunities, improved talent pipelines, and expanded skill‑building programs.
**Funding Access:** The federation plans to work closely with European Union bodies, national cultural ministries, and private investors to streamline grant applications and introduce new financing instruments tailored to the needs of game developers. By acting as an intermediary, EGDF hopes to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and make capital more readily available for projects ranging from early‑stage prototypes to large‑scale productions. **Talent Development:** Recognizing that the industry’s growth is tightly linked to the availability of skilled professionals, EGDF will partner with universities, vocational schools, and coding bootcamps across the continent. Initiatives will include mentorship schemes, apprenticeship placements, and cross‑border exchange programs that allow emerging talent to gain experience in diverse studio environments.
**Skills Enhancement:** In addition to formal education pathways, the federation intends to launch a series of workshops, webinars, and master‑class events focused on emerging technologies, project management, and market trends. These offerings will be designed to keep developers up‑to‑date with the rapid evolution of the gaming sector, particularly in areas such as cloud gaming, live‑ops, and monetisation strategies. The EGDF also reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring and fostering the broader European game‑industry ecosystem.
The organization emphasized that it will continue to strengthen collaboration with studios of all sizes, facilitate knowledge‑sharing among members, and work to raise the global profile of European games. In a statement, the federation highlighted the importance of positioning Europe as a hub of creative and technical excellence, capable of competing with North American and Asian markets.
A notable element of the EGDF’s forward‑looking vision is its ambition to become the first AI‑centric European trade association for games. The federation acknowledges that the gaming sector is at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to player‑behavior analytics—and aims to lead the conversation on responsible AI use, ethical standards, and regulatory frameworks. By establishing AI as a core component of its identity, EGDF hopes to attract innovative companies and research institutions, fostering a collaborative environment where AI can be leveraged to enhance game design, production efficiency, and player experiences.
Earlier in the week, the EGDF joined forces with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The comprehensive study provides a snapshot of the continent’s economic health, revealing that the European games industry generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024. The sector comprises more than 6,600 studios, collectively employing over 95,000 individuals across development, publishing, marketing, and ancillary services. These figures underscore the sector’s significance as a major contributor to Europe’s digital economy and its potential for further expansion.
The report also highlighted trends such as the rise of live‑service models, increased investment in cross‑platform titles, and a growing emphasis on sustainability and diversity within development teams. It noted that while the industry enjoys robust growth, challenges remain—particularly in securing consistent funding, navigating complex regulatory environments, and addressing talent shortages in certain regions.
By aligning its board’s expertise with these identified challenges, the EGDF aims to act as a catalyst for positive change. The federation’s upcoming initiatives will include policy advocacy at the EU level, targeted support programs for under‑represented groups, and the creation of a pan‑European network that facilitates collaboration on large‑scale projects. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, geographically diverse board signal a period of renewal and strategic focus for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear roadmap centered on funding, talent, and skill development—and an ambitious goal to pioneer AI integration—the EGDF is poised to strengthen Europe’s position in the global gaming arena, support its vibrant community of creators, and drive sustainable growth for years to come.