Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), securing a second term as its president as the organization introduced its new board for the 2026‑2028 period. Lesser’s re‑election comes at a pivotal moment for the European gaming sector, which is seeking to strengthen its global competitiveness and nurture a more resilient ecosystem for creators across the continent.
Two prominent figures stepped away from the board this cycle: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games. Their departures opened space for a fresh mix of industry veterans and rising leaders, each bringing a distinct perspective on how to advance the European game development landscape.
The newly constituted EGDF board now includes: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and general manager of the Dutch Games Association, where she has overseen numerous initiatives to boost Dutch studio growth and international outreach. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a body that champions Finnish developers and helps them navigate funding programmes, talent pipelines, and cross‑border collaborations. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a bridge between cultural policy and commercial gaming interests.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, a hub for indie creators and networking events in the region. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for curating showcases that highlight Polish indie talent on the world stage. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, the French national union that advocates for developers’ rights, funding access, and regulatory matters. Collectively, this board reflects a broad geographic spread—from the Benelux region through Scandinavia, the Balkans, Central Europe, and France—mirroring EGDF’s ambition to represent the full diversity of the European gaming community.
**Strategic Priorities for 2026‑2028** The federation has laid out a clear agenda for the coming two years, centered on three interlinked pillars: enhancing developers’ position within the value chain, expanding access to capital and resources, and cultivating the talent and skills needed for future growth. In practical terms, EGDF plans to: 1. **Create a “route to the top” of the value chain** – By establishing mentorship programmes, matchmaking events, and partnership pipelines, the federation aims to help small and mid‑size studios move beyond pure development into publishing, distribution, and IP ownership.
This will involve close cooperation with major publishers, platform holders, and investment funds that can provide the necessary scale. 2. **Improve funding accessibility** – EGDF will lobby EU institutions and national governments for more flexible grant schemes, tax incentives, and co‑investment models that cater to both indie teams and larger studios. The board intends to launch a centralized information portal that aggregates all available financing opportunities, making it easier for developers to navigate the often‑complex landscape of public and private funding.
3. **Strengthen talent pipelines** – Partnering with universities, vocational schools, and specialised bootcamps, the federation will promote curricula that align with industry needs, such as advanced programming, narrative design, user‑experience research, and emerging technologies like virtual reality and AI‑driven content creation. A statement from EGDF highlighted its commitment to monitoring the health of the European game ecosystem, fostering collaboration among studios, and boosting the sector’s visibility on the global stage.
The organization underscored that the European gaming industry continues to be a trailblazer for artificial‑intelligence tools and technologies. Consequently, EGDF set an ambitious goal to become the first AI‑centric European trade association, integrating AI‑enhanced workflows, analytics, and ethical guidelines into its advocacy work. **Industry Context and Recent Data** Just weeks before the board announcement, EGDF partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the *European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024*.
The report paints a robust picture of the market: European game companies generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024, a figure that reflects steady growth despite macro‑economic headwinds. More than 6,600 studios were active across the continent, employing upwards of 95,000 individuals in roles ranging from programming and art to marketing and community management. These numbers illustrate both the scale and the fragmentation of the European scene. While a handful of large publishers dominate revenue streams, the majority of the ecosystem consists of small‑to‑medium enterprises that rely heavily on external funding, talent mobility, and cross‑border collaboration.
EGDF’s new board sees this as an opportunity to knit together a more cohesive network, leveraging shared resources and collective bargaining power. **Looking Ahead** The re‑elected president, Hendrik Lesser, emphasized that the next two years will be about translating strategic intent into tangible outcomes. “Our focus is on building concrete pathways that allow developers—whether they are a one‑person indie studio or a mid‑size studio with dozens of employees—to access the capital, expertise, and market visibility they need to thrive,” Lesser said.
“By aligning our efforts with the broader European digital agenda and embracing AI responsibly, we can ensure that Europe remains a fertile ground for innovative game creation.” In addition to policy work, EGDF plans to host a series of regional summits, workshops, and networking events designed to showcase emerging talent, share best practices, and facilitate partnerships between developers, investors, and technology providers. These gatherings will be complemented by an online knowledge hub featuring case studies, toolkits, and webinars that address topics such as sustainable development, diversity and inclusion, and the ethical use of AI in game design. Overall, the refreshed board and its forward‑looking agenda signal a renewed commitment to strengthening Europe’s position as a world‑leading hub for video game development.
By championing access to funding, nurturing talent, and pioneering AI integration, the European Games Developer Federation aims to empower its members to compete globally while preserving the creative diversity that defines the continent’s gaming culture.