Hendrik Lesser has secured a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the unveiling of the organisation's new board for the 2026‑2028 term. The announcement also noted 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. The freshly constituted EGDF board brings together a diverse mix of industry veterans, association leaders, and strategic thinkers from across the continent.
Its members are: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing deep experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, representing the interests of Finnish developers and fostering cross‑border collaboration. - **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 blend of commercial strategy and community building. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie creators and organising high‑impact industry events. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and influencing national regulatory frameworks.
The federation has laid out an ambitious agenda for the forthcoming biennium, centred on creating a clear "route to the top of the value chain" for European developers. This strategic vision emphasises three core pillars: enhanced access to capital, improved talent pipelines, and the cultivation of specialised skills. **Funding pathways** will be expanded through closer cooperation with EU cultural funds, private investors, and national grant programmes.
The board intends to develop a streamlined application framework that reduces administrative burden for studios seeking financing, particularly for mid‑size and emerging developers that often fall between the cracks of existing schemes. **Talent development** will be addressed by launching mentorship schemes, cross‑border apprenticeship programmes, and partnerships with universities and vocational schools.
By linking educational institutions directly with industry needs, EGDF aims to close the skills gap that many studios report, especially in areas such as advanced graphics, network engineering, and interactive narrative design. **Skill‑building initiatives** will include a series of workshops, webinars, and certification tracks focused on emerging technologies, best‑practice production pipelines, and sustainable business models. The federation plans to leverage its network of member associations to deliver region‑specific training that respects local market nuances while maintaining European‑wide standards. In a statement, the EGDF highlighted its commitment to monitoring and nurturing the European game ecosystem.
"We will continue to facilitate dialogue among developers, publishers, policymakers, and investors, ensuring that the continent's creative talent can thrive on the global stage," the federation said. The statement also underscored the importance of raising the international profile of European games, which have historically been praised for artistic innovation but often struggle for market visibility compared to North American and Asian titles. A particularly forward‑looking component of the federation's roadmap is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven trade association in Europe.
Recognising that the gaming sector is a leading adopter of artificial intelligence—whether for procedural content generation, player behaviour analytics, or advanced testing frameworks—EGDF intends to embed AI tools across its operations. This will include AI‑assisted matchmaking between studios and investors, predictive analytics to forecast market trends, and automated compliance monitoring for regulatory requirements. The federation's strategic direction aligns with broader industry data released earlier in the week.
In collaboration with Video Games Europe (VGE), EGDF co‑published the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report revealed that the European games market generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024, supporting more than 6,600 studios and employing over 95 000 professionals across the continent. These figures illustrate the sector's substantial economic contribution and underscore the need for coordinated policy support. Beyond the numbers, the report highlighted several trends shaping the future of European gaming.
Mobile and live‑service titles continue to capture a growing share of revenue, while cloud gaming and subscription services are expanding the reach of European studios to global audiences. Additionally, sustainability and diversity initiatives are gaining traction, with many developers adopting greener production practices and inclusive hiring policies. In response to these dynamics, the EGDF board plans to launch a series of thematic working groups.
One group will focus on **AI and emerging tech**, exploring how machine learning can streamline development cycles and enhance player experiences. Another will address **sustainability**, promoting eco‑friendly production methods and encouraging studios to report carbon footprints.
A third will champion **diversity and inclusion**, providing resources to under‑represented creators and facilitating mentorship programmes aimed at broadening participation in game development. The re‑election of Hendrik Lesser is seen as a vote of confidence in his leadership style, which blends strategic foresight with hands‑on industry experience. Lesser, who previously guided EGDF through a period of rapid growth, emphasised the importance of a unified European voice in global negotiations, especially concerning digital trade agreements and intellectual property protections.
Looking ahead, the federation aims to host a flagship European Games Summit in 2027, bringing together developers, investors, policymakers, and media representatives for a multi‑day showcase of cutting‑edge projects and policy dialogues. The summit is expected to serve as a catalyst for cross‑border collaborations, investment deals, and the sharing of best practices across the diverse European gaming landscape. In summary, the European Games Developer Federation is poised to strengthen its role as the central advocacy and support hub for the continent's game creators. By renewing its leadership, expanding its board, and outlining a comprehensive agenda that tackles funding, talent, skills, and AI integration, EGDF seeks to empower developers to climb the value chain, increase their global competitiveness, and ensure that Europe's rich creative heritage continues to flourish in the digital age.