Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) as its president, coinciding with the unveiling of the organisation’s new governing board for the 2026‑2028 term. The announcement also noted 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. The refreshed EGDF board now brings together a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of European gaming bodies: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, offering a blend of studio leadership and national association experience.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, providing insight into the Nordic development scene. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, linking cultural policy with commercial interests.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, representing Central‑Eastern European growth. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, championing indie and conference initiatives. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, bringing French industry perspectives to the table.
Together, this six‑person board is tasked with steering the federation through a period of rapid change and opportunity within the European gaming ecosystem. The EGDF has already laid out a clear agenda for the 2026‑2028 cycle, centred on three core pillars: enhancing developers’ access to financial resources, strengthening the talent pipeline, and expanding skill‑building programmes across the continent.
The federation’s public statement emphasised that its overarching goal is to create "a route to the top of the value chain" for European studios, meaning that developers of all sizes should be able to move beyond basic production and into higher‑value activities such as publishing, international distribution, and the integration of cutting‑edge technologies. To achieve this, EGDF plans to work closely with national game associations, venture capital funds, and educational institutions, ensuring that funding mechanisms are transparent, talent development pathways are clearly mapped, and skills training reflects the latest industry standards. "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 wrote.
This commitment reflects a broader strategic vision: positioning Europe not only as a prolific creator of games but also as a leading voice on the world stage, capable of influencing policy, standards, and market trends. A notable element of the federation’s forward‑looking plan is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association for games. Recognising that the gaming sector has been an early adopter of artificial intelligence—from procedural content generation to player‑behaviour analytics—the EGDF intends to embed AI tools throughout its own operations. This could include AI‑assisted matchmaking of studios with investors, predictive analytics for market trends, and automated compliance monitoring for cross‑border regulations.
By pioneering an AI‑centric approach, the federation hopes to set a benchmark for efficiency, data‑driven decision‑making, and innovative member services. The timing of these announcements aligns with the release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a joint effort by EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE).
The report paints a picture of a robust and growing market: European game companies generated approximately €24 billion in revenue in 2024, a figure that underscores the sector’s economic significance. Moreover, the industry now comprises more than 6,600 studios employing upwards of 95,000 professionals across a wide range of roles—from programming and art to marketing and community management. These statistics highlight the scale of the challenge and the opportunity facing the EGDF. With such a large and varied workforce, the federation’s focus on skill development is especially pertinent.
Initiatives under consideration include expanding mentorship programmes, creating cross‑border apprenticeship schemes, and partnering with universities to align curricula with industry needs. By fostering a more skilled and mobile talent pool, EGDF aims to reduce skill shortages that have historically hampered studio growth, particularly in smaller markets.
Funding access is another critical focus area. The federation plans to act as an intermediary between developers and a variety of financing sources, including EU cultural funds, national grant programmes, and private equity. By streamlining application processes and offering advisory support, EGDF hopes to lower the barrier for emerging studios seeking capital to scale their projects. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the composition of the new board signal continuity coupled with fresh perspectives for the European Games Developer Federation.
Over the next two years, the organisation will pursue a multi‑pronged strategy aimed at elevating European developers along the value chain, improving financial and talent pathways, and pioneering AI‑driven association services. As the European games market continues to generate billions in revenue and employ tens of thousands, the EGDF’s initiatives are poised to shape the continent’s competitive edge and global reputation in the years ahead.