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 transition also sees the departure of two prominent figures: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, both of whom have stepped down from their board positions. The refreshed 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. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, bringing extensive experience in Nordic game development policy.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, known for his advocacy of cultural‑centric gaming initiatives. - **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. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, with a strong background in event organisation and community building.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers on a national level. Together, this board is set to steer the federation toward a strategic agenda that emphasizes a "route to the top of the value chain" for European game creators. Central to this vision is the ambition to provide developers with more streamlined pathways to secure funding, attract skilled talent, and acquire the specialised training needed to compete on a global stage. In a formal statement, the EGDF highlighted several core objectives for the 2026‑2028 period: 1.
**Ecosystem Monitoring and Facilitation** – The federation will continue to act as a watchdog and catalyst for the European game industry, tracking market trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements to ensure that developers receive timely support. 2. **Strengthening Collaboration** – By deepening ties with studios across the continent, EGDF aims to foster cross‑border partnerships, joint ventures, and knowledge‑sharing initiatives that can accelerate innovation. 3.
**Boosting Global Visibility** – A concerted effort will be made to raise the profile of European games abroad, positioning the region as a hub of creative excellence and technological leadership. 4. **Pioneering AI Integration** – Recognising that the gaming sector is at the forefront of artificial‑intelligence adoption, the federation has set an ambitious goal to become the first AI‑driven European trade association.
This will involve leveraging AI for data analysis, member services, and industry advocacy, thereby setting new standards for how trade bodies operate. The timing of these announcements aligns with the release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a collaborative effort between EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE).
The report paints a robust picture of the continent’s gaming landscape: in 2024, the European games sector generated roughly €24 billion in revenue, a figure that underscores its economic significance. Moreover, the industry supports more than 6,600 studios and employs upwards of 95,000 professionals across a wide spectrum of roles, from programming and art design to marketing and community management. These statistics not only highlight the sector’s current vitality but also point to substantial growth potential.
The federation’s renewed focus on funding pathways is intended to address one of the most persistent challenges faced by developers—securing capital for both early‑stage prototypes and large‑scale productions. By facilitating connections with venture capital firms, public grant programmes, and private investors, EGDF hopes to lower the financial barriers that often impede innovative projects.
Talent acquisition and skill development constitute another pillar of the board’s plan. In an industry where technology evolves rapidly, maintaining a pipeline of qualified professionals is essential. The federation intends to partner with educational institutions, vocational training centres, and online learning platforms to create curricula that reflect the latest industry needs, including emerging fields such as immersive reality, procedural content generation, and AI‑enhanced game design. Furthermore, EGDF’s commitment to becoming an AI‑centric trade association signals a forward‑looking approach that could reshape how member services are delivered.
Potential applications include AI‑powered matchmaking between studios and investors, automated compliance monitoring with EU regulations, and predictive analytics to forecast market trends. By adopting these tools early, the federation aims to set a benchmark for efficiency and responsiveness that other trade bodies may emulate.
Overall, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser, combined with a board composed of seasoned leaders from diverse national contexts, positions the European Games Developer Federation to drive meaningful change. Their agenda seeks not only to sustain the current momentum of the European gaming ecosystem but also to propel it into a future where European titles are recognized worldwide for both creative brilliance and technological innovation.
As the industry continues to expand, the federation’s initiatives around funding, talent cultivation, and AI integration are expected to play a critical role in ensuring that European developers can compete with, and often surpass, their global counterparts. The upcoming years will likely see increased collaboration across borders, a surge in high‑quality game releases, and a stronger, more visible European presence on the world stage.