European Games Developer Federation Unveils 2026‑28 Board, Re‑elects Hendrik Lesser as President

The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that its leadership for the 2026‑2028 term will be headed once again by Hendrik Lesser, who has been re‑elected as president. The announcement also introduced a refreshed board of directors, marking a notable shift in the organization’s governance structure as several long‑standing members step aside. 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, announced their departures from the board. Their exits make room for a new cohort of industry professionals who bring a diverse set of experiences from across the continent.

The newly appointed board members are: - **Martine Spaans** – currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holding the role of General Manager for the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings a blend of operational expertise and advocacy for Dutch developers. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – director of the Neogames Finland Association, known for championing the Finnish indie scene and fostering cross‑border collaborations.

- **Per Strömbäck** – a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering insight into both 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 network in Central and Eastern Europe. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for his work in organizing industry events and supporting indie creators.

- **Vanessa Kaplan** – director general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the interests of French game developers at a national level. Together, this board is tasked with steering EGDF’s strategic agenda for the upcoming biennium. The federation has outlined a clear set of priorities that revolve around strengthening the value chain for European developers.

Central to this vision is the promise of a "route to the top of the value chain," which the EGDF describes as a series of initiatives designed to give creators more direct access to essential resources such as financing, skilled talent pools, and advanced training programmes. In a formal statement, the EGDF emphasized its commitment to continuous monitoring and facilitation of the European game‑industry ecosystem.

The organization intends to deepen its collaboration with studios across the continent, ensuring that smaller and mid‑size developers receive the same strategic support as larger, more established companies. Moreover, EGDF aims to elevate the global profile of European games, positioning the region as a hub of innovation and creative excellence on the world stage. A particularly forward‑looking element of the federation’s roadmap is its focus on artificial intelligence. Recognising that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of adopting AI‑driven tools—ranging from procedural content generation to sophisticated player‑behavior analytics—EGDF has set an ambitious goal: to become the first AI‑centric trade association in Europe.

This initiative will involve the creation of AI‑focused working groups, the development of best‑practice guidelines for ethical AI use, and partnerships with research institutions to explore emerging technologies. The timing of these announcements coincides with the recent release of the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024, a joint effort by EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE).

The report paints a robust picture of the market’s health, indicating that the European games sector generated approximately €24 billion in revenue during 2024. In addition, the industry supports more than 6,600 studios and employs upwards of 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles, from programming and design to marketing and localisation. These figures underscore the sector’s economic significance and its role as a major employer in the creative economy. The EGDF’s renewed leadership team intends to leverage this momentum by advocating for policies that sustain growth, improve cross‑border investment flows, and nurture the next generation of talent through education and mentorship programmes.

Looking ahead, the board plans to organise a series of regional summits and workshops aimed at fostering knowledge exchange between developers, publishers, and technology providers. By creating platforms for dialogue, EGDF hopes to identify common challenges—such as funding gaps, talent shortages, and regulatory hurdles—and develop coordinated solutions that benefit the entire European ecosystem.

In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the introduction of a new, geographically diverse board signal a period of strategic renewal for the European Games Developer Federation. With a focus on funding accessibility, talent development, AI integration, and global visibility, the organization is poised to guide European game creators toward sustained success and heightened influence in the worldwide market.