Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), securing a second term as its president as the organization publicly presented its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 period. Lesser’s re‑election comes at a pivotal moment for the European gaming sector, which is experiencing rapid growth, increasing investment, and a surge of innovative talent across the continent. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent figures: 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 refreshed EGDF board now includes a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from key national and regional gaming bodies: - **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, tasked with championing Finnish developers and fostering cross‑border collaborations. - **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 link between Eastern European studios and broader European markets. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for his work in nurturing indie ecosystems and organizing industry events.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and advocating for regulatory frameworks that support growth. These six individuals, together with President Lesser, form a board that reflects the geographic and sectoral diversity of Europe’s game development community, ranging from large‑scale publishers to indie collectives, from Western hubs like the Netherlands and France to emerging scenes in the Balkans and Scandinavia. In outlining its strategic priorities for the 2026‑2028 term, the EGDF emphasized a commitment to creating "a route to the top of the value chain" for European developers.
This phrase encapsulates a multi‑faceted agenda aimed at improving three core pillars: access to funding, access to talent, and access to skills development. **Funding pathways** – The federation plans to work closely with national governments, EU cultural funds, and private investors to streamline grant applications and venture financing for studios of all sizes. By establishing clearer criteria and offering mentorship throughout the funding cycle, EGDF hopes to reduce the administrative burden that often hampers innovative projects, especially those originating from smaller studios or regions with less established financial ecosystems. **Talent pipelines** – Recognizing that the industry’s future hinges on a steady flow of skilled professionals, EGDF will partner with universities, technical schools, and apprenticeship programs to align curricula with current market needs.
Initiatives will include joint mentorship schemes, internship exchanges across borders, and a centralized talent‑matching platform that connects developers with qualified artists, programmers, designers, and producers. **Skills enhancement** – To keep pace with rapid technological change, the federation intends to launch a series of training workshops, webinars, and certification courses covering topics such as advanced game engines, live‑ops management, monetisation strategies, and emerging fields like virtual reality, augmented reality, and, notably, artificial intelligence. Speaking on behalf of the organization, the board highlighted its role as a monitor and facilitator of the European game industry ecosystem.
"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 statement read. This commitment underscores the federation’s intent to act as both a watchdog and a catalyst, ensuring that policy decisions, market trends, and technological advances are communicated effectively to members and stakeholders. A particularly forward‑looking element of the EGDF’s plan is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association. The gaming sector has long been an early adopter of AI tools for procedural content generation, player behaviour analysis, and quality assurance.
By integrating AI into its own operations—ranging from data analytics to member services—the federation aims to set a benchmark for how trade bodies can leverage intelligent systems to provide more personalized support, predictive industry insights, and streamlined administrative processes. Earlier in the week, the EGDF collaborated with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024.
The comprehensive study revealed that the European games market generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024, a figure that reflects both the sector’s resilience and its expanding consumer base. The report also highlighted that more than 6,600 studios were active across the continent, employing over 95,000 individuals in roles spanning development, publishing, marketing, and support services.
These statistics illustrate the sector’s significance as a major economic driver and a source of high‑skill employment. The new board’s diverse expertise is expected to translate these macro‑level insights into concrete actions that benefit developers on the ground.
For instance, by leveraging the network of national associations represented on the board, EGDF can advocate for harmonised regulations that reduce barriers to cross‑border distribution and simplify tax treatments for digital products. Additionally, the federation plans to host a series of regional round‑tables and pan‑European summits where developers can share best practices, discuss challenges, and explore collaborative opportunities.
In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a refreshed, geographically balanced board signal a renewed vigor within the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear focus on funding accessibility, talent cultivation, skill development, and AI integration, the organization is positioning itself to guide the European gaming industry through the next phase of growth, ensuring that creators across the continent can compete on the global stage while fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and innovative ecosystem.