Hendrik Lesser has been confirmed for a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the unveiling of the organisation’s new governing board for the 2026‑2028 period. The leadership transition follows 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, both of whom have stepped down after serving their terms. The freshly appointed EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of European gaming associations and companies. The members are: - **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 industry advocacy.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, tasked with promoting Finnish game development and fostering cross‑border collaborations. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering insights 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 strategic perspective on Central‑European market growth. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for organising large‑scale networking events for indie creators.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French game developers and championing labour standards within the sector. Together, this board is set to steer the federation through a period of rapid change and opportunity. The EGDF has publicly outlined a two‑year agenda that centres on three core pillars: creating a clear pathway for developers to ascend the value chain, enhancing access to financial resources, and bolstering the availability of talent and specialised skills across Europe.
"Our mission is to act as a catalyst that connects creators with the capital, expertise, and networks they need to scale their projects," the federation said in a statement. "By improving the infrastructure that supports game development—from funding mechanisms to training programmes—we aim to ensure that European studios can compete on a global stage while retaining their unique cultural identities." A notable ambition highlighted by the federation is its intention to become the first AI‑focused European trade association within the gaming sector.
Recognising that the video‑game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—whether for procedural content generation, player‑behavior analytics, or advanced testing pipelines—the EGDF plans to develop a dedicated AI strategy. This will involve establishing best‑practice guidelines, facilitating knowledge‑sharing workshops, and lobbying for supportive regulatory frameworks that encourage responsible AI innovation. In addition to internal policy work, the EGDF continues to collaborate with other European bodies.
Earlier in the week, the federation partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the continent’s gaming ecosystem, revealing that the industry generated approximately €24 billion in revenue during the 2024 fiscal year.
Moreover, the sector now comprises more than 6,600 active studios and employs upwards of 95,000 professionals, ranging from programmers and artists to marketers and business developers. These figures underscore the sector’s significance as a driver of economic growth and cultural export. The report also highlights emerging trends such as the rise of live‑service models, increased investment in cloud‑based gaming platforms, and the growing importance of sustainability practices within development pipelines. Looking ahead, the EGDF board intends to leverage these insights to shape targeted initiatives.
For example, they plan to launch a series of grant programmes aimed at early‑stage studios that demonstrate innovative use of AI or sustainability‑focused design. Another priority is to expand mentorship networks that pair seasoned developers with newcomers, thereby addressing skill shortages in areas like advanced programming, narrative design, and user‑experience research.
The federation also aims to strengthen its advocacy role at the European Union level. By presenting unified industry positions on issues such as digital taxation, cross‑border talent mobility, and intellectual‑property protection, EGDF hopes to influence policy decisions that directly affect the competitiveness of European game creators. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the composition of the new board signal continuity blended with fresh perspectives. Their combined expertise spans operational leadership, cultural advocacy, business development, and international cooperation.
Over the next two years, the EGDF will concentrate on building a more resilient, well‑funded, and skill‑rich European gaming landscape, while pioneering the integration of AI technologies in a responsible and inclusive manner. This strategic focus aims not only to boost the sector’s economic impact but also to cement Europe’s reputation as a hub of creative and technological excellence in the global video‑game arena.