Hendrik Lesser has secured a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the federation’s unveiling of its new board for the 2026‑2028 term. The leadership reshuffle follows the departure of two prominent figures in the European gaming community: 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 freshly constituted EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from key national and regional 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 advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a pivotal figure in Finland’s vibrant indie and mid‑size 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 Balkan perspective and a focus on business growth.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference and co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie creators and organising industry events. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and contributing expertise in labour relations and collective bargaining. These six individuals replace the outgoing members and together form a board that reflects the federation’s commitment to pan‑European representation, balancing the interests of large studios, mid‑size developers, and independent creators across the continent. **Strategic Priorities for 2026‑2028** The EGDF has laid out an ambitious agenda for the forthcoming two‑year period, centred on three core objectives: creating a clear pathway for developers to ascend the value chain, enhancing access to financial resources, and strengthening the talent pipeline and skill development programmes.
In practice, this means the federation will work to: 1. **Facilitate Funding Opportunities** – By forging stronger links with European Union cultural funds, national grant schemes, and private investors, the EGDF aims to simplify the application process for studios seeking capital, particularly for projects that push creative boundaries or incorporate emerging technologies.
2. **Develop Talent Networks** – Partnering with universities, vocational schools, and specialised training providers, the federation will launch mentorship schemes, apprenticeship programmes, and cross‑border exchange initiatives to address skill shortages in areas such as AI integration, advanced graphics, and live‑ops management.
3. **Promote Industry Visibility** – Through coordinated marketing campaigns, participation in global trade shows, and the creation of a unified European brand for games, the EGDF intends to raise the profile of European titles on the world stage, helping studios secure distribution deals and media coverage.
A statement from the federation underscored its broader vision: “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 organization also highlighted its pioneering role in artificial intelligence, noting that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of AI‑driven tools and workflows. Consequently, the EGDF has set an internal target to become the first AI‑focused European trade association, aiming to guide members through ethical AI adoption, data‑driven design, and automated testing. **Recent Industry Insight** In a related development, the EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE) released the *European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024* earlier this week. The report paints a robust picture of the continent’s gaming economy, indicating that European developers generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024.
This figure reflects contributions from more than 6,600 studios, which collectively employ upwards of 95,000 individuals across a spectrum of roles—from programming and art creation to marketing and community management. The data underscores several trends that align with the EGDF’s strategic focus. First, the steady rise in revenue demonstrates a healthy market that can sustain increased investment in research and development. Second, the sheer number of studios and employees highlights the sector’s importance as a source of high‑skill jobs, reinforcing the need for targeted talent development initiatives.
Finally, the report’s emphasis on cross‑border collaboration mirrors the federation’s aim to foster a more integrated European ecosystem, where best practices and resources flow freely between nations. **Looking Ahead** As the new board settles into its roles, members are expected to convene regularly with national associations, policy makers, and private partners to translate these strategic goals into concrete actions. Initiatives under consideration include a Europe‑wide funding portal that aggregates grant opportunities, a series of AI‑focused workshops for developers of all sizes, and a coordinated lobbying effort to secure favorable regulatory conditions for digital distribution and data protection.
By championing these efforts, the European Games Developer Federation seeks to cement Europe’s position as a leading hub for innovative, culturally rich, and commercially successful video games. With Hendrik Lesser at the helm for another term, the federation is poised to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry while ensuring that European creators have the support they need to thrive on the global stage.