The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue as its president for another term, coinciding with the unveiling of the federation’s new board for the 2026‑2028 period. Lesser’s re‑election underscores continuity in the organization’s strategic direction as it seeks to bolster the European game development ecosystem. Two notable departures were announced alongside the board reshuffle.
David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the studio No Brakes Games, have both stepped down from their positions within the federation. Their exits make room for a fresh set of voices representing a broad cross‑section of the industry.
The refreshed EGDF board now comprises the following members: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, offering insight into the Nordic development scene and its growing export potential.
- **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a blend of cultural policy expertise and regional economic development knowledge. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, a hub that supports local talent and international collaboration.
- **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 fostering networking opportunities across Central Europe. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French video‑game sector and its regulatory interests. Collectively, this board reflects a pan‑European perspective, drawing on expertise from Western, Northern, and Southern regions.
Their combined backgrounds span studio management, trade association leadership, cultural advocacy, and conference organization, positioning the EGDF to address a wide array of industry challenges. In outlining its agenda for the 2026‑2028 term, the EGDF emphasized a commitment to creating "a route to the top of the value chain" for developers.
This phrasing signals an intent to help studios move beyond early‑stage production and secure roles in publishing, distribution, and post‑launch services where higher margins are realized. To achieve this, the federation plans to improve three core pillars: 1.
**Funding Access** – By forging stronger links with European Union grant programmes, national funding bodies, and private investors, the EGDF aims to simplify the application process and increase the visibility of eligible projects. Initiatives may include matchmaking events, a centralized database of funding opportunities, and advisory services to help developers craft compelling proposals. 2.
**Talent Acquisition and Development** – Recognising the acute shortage of skilled professionals in areas such as AI integration, real‑time rendering, and live‑ops management, the federation will partner with educational institutions, vocational schools, and online learning platforms. The goal is to create a pipeline that equips emerging talent with the technical and creative competencies demanded by modern studios. 3. **Skill Enhancement for Existing Teams** – Beyond entry‑level training, EGDF intends to offer advanced workshops, mentorship programmes, and peer‑learning networks.
Topics will range from sustainable business models and international market entry strategies to the ethical deployment of emerging technologies. The federation’s public statement highlighted its ongoing role as a monitor and facilitator of the European game‑industry ecosystem. It pledged to deepen collaboration with development studios across the continent, thereby strengthening the sector’s collective voice in policy discussions and enhancing its global visibility.
This outreach is expected to involve regular stakeholder consultations, joint research projects, and coordinated lobbying efforts at both EU and national levels. A particularly forward‑looking component of the EGDF’s plan is its ambition to become the first AI‑centric European trade association. The organization notes that the gaming sector is a leading adopter of artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to player‑behavior analytics—and therefore has a unique position to shape responsible AI practices. The federation will likely establish working groups to explore standards, ethical guidelines, and best‑practice frameworks for AI use in game development, ensuring that European studios remain competitive while upholding societal values.
Earlier in the week, the EGDF collaborated with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the market’s health and trajectory. According to its findings, the European games industry generated approximately €24 billion in turnover in 2024.
This revenue was produced by more than 6,600 studios, which together employed over 95,000 individuals across a variety of roles, from programming and art design to marketing and community management. These figures underscore the sector’s significance as a major contributor to the European digital economy. They also highlight the importance of the EGDF’s upcoming initiatives, which aim to sustain growth, foster innovation, and ensure that European developers can capture a larger share of the value they create. By improving access to capital, nurturing talent, and championing responsible AI integration, the federation hopes to solidify Europe’s position as a world‑leading hub for high‑quality, culturally diverse video games.
In summary, the re‑elected leadership and newly appointed board members bring a blend of experience and regional representation that should enable the EGDF to execute its ambitious two‑year plan. Their focus on funding pathways, talent pipelines, skill development, and AI leadership reflects both current industry needs and future opportunities. As the sector continues to expand—evidenced by the €24 billion turnover and the employment of nearly one hundred thousand professionals—the EGDF’s strategic direction will be pivotal in shaping a resilient, innovative, and globally competitive European games landscape.