Hendrik Lesser has secured a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the public announcement of the federation’s new governing board for the 2026‑2028 period. The leadership refresh comes after the departure of two prominent members of the previous board: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, who have both stepped down from their roles. The freshly appointed EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of European gaming organisations: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a key figure in Finland’s vibrant indie and professional game development scene.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering insight into cultural policy 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, providing a strong network across 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 Polish indie talent on the global stage. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and contributing a deep understanding of the French market and regulatory environment.
Together, this board is tasked with steering the federation through a period of rapid change and growth within the European gaming sector. The EGDF has already outlined a strategic agenda for the upcoming two‑year cycle, emphasizing three core pillars: creating a clear pathway for developers to ascend the value chain, enhancing access to financial resources, and strengthening the talent pipeline and skill‑building opportunities across the continent. In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF highlighted its commitment to monitoring and facilitating the evolution of Europe’s game‑development ecosystem.
The federation aims to deepen collaboration with studios of all sizes, from burgeoning indie teams to established multinational publishers, and to raise the global profile of European games. "Our goal is to ensure that European creators have the tools, connections, and visibility they need to compete on the world stage," the statement read. A notable element of the federation’s forward‑looking plan is its focus on artificial intelligence.
Recognising that the gaming industry is often at the forefront of adopting AI‑driven tools—ranging from procedural content generation to advanced analytics and player‑behaviour modelling—EGDF has set an ambitious target to become the first AI‑centric European trade association. This initiative will involve establishing best‑practice guidelines, fostering research collaborations, and advocating for policies that support responsible AI integration in game development.
The timing of these announcements follows the recent release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a joint effort by EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE). The report paints a robust picture of the sector’s economic impact: European game companies generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024, a figure that underscores the region’s significance as a global creative powerhouse. The industry now supports more than 6,600 studios and employs upwards of 95,000 professionals, spanning developers, artists, designers, marketers, and support staff.
These statistics not only highlight the sector’s scale but also its potential for further expansion. The EGDF’s upcoming initiatives are designed to capitalize on this momentum. By improving funding mechanisms—through better access to public grants, private investment, and cross‑border financing schemes—the federation hopes to lower barriers for innovative projects that might otherwise struggle to secure capital. Additionally, the focus on talent development will see the launch of new training programs, mentorship schemes, and partnerships with academic institutions to ensure a steady flow of skilled workers equipped with the latest technical and creative competencies.
The board’s composition reflects a strategic balance of geographic representation and functional expertise, ensuring that the federation can address the varied needs of its members. For instance, Martine Spaans’ dual role in a Dutch studio and a national association equips her to bridge the gap between grassroots developers and policy makers. Similarly, Hrvoje Mitic’s experience in both business development and alliance leadership positions him to foster cross‑regional collaborations, particularly between Western and Eastern European markets. Looking ahead, EGDF plans to host a series of industry events, workshops, and conferences aimed at knowledge sharing and networking.
These gatherings will cover topics such as AI ethics in gaming, sustainable development practices, and strategies for entering emerging markets. By providing a platform for dialogue, the federation hopes to cultivate a more cohesive and resilient European game development community. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a refreshed board signal a period of proactive leadership for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear agenda focused on funding, talent, and AI integration, EGDF is poised to strengthen Europe’s position as a leading hub for innovative game creation and to support its members in navigating the challenges and opportunities of the next two years and beyond.