Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), securing a second term as its president while the organization revealed the composition of its 2026‑2028 governing board. 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, both of whom have stepped down from their board positions. The newly constituted EGDF board now brings together a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of national and sectoral associations.
The roster includes: - **Martine Spaans**, who serves as Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and also holds the role of General Manager at the Dutch Games Association, bringing a blend of operational expertise and national advocacy experience. - **KooPee Hiltunen**, director of the Neogames Finland Association, offering insight into the Nordic development ecosystem and its growing export potential. - **Per Strömbäck**, a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and a participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, whose background bridges 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 and Eastern European markets. - **Jakub Marszalkowski**, head of the Games Industry Conference and co‑founder as well as board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie creators and fostering networking events across the continent. - **Vanessa Kaplan**, director general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French video‑game sector and its strong tradition of creative and technical excellence.
The federation outlined a clear agenda for the forthcoming two‑year period, emphasizing a commitment to creating a "route to the top of the value chain" for European developers. This phrase encapsulates a strategic focus on elevating the entire production pipeline—from early‑stage concept work to final market launch—so that European studios can capture a larger share of the revenues generated by their games. To achieve this, EGDF plans to enhance access to three core pillars: funding, talent, and skills.
**Funding**: The federation intends to act as a conduit between developers and a variety of financing sources, including public grants, private investment funds, and cross‑border co‑production schemes. By streamlining application processes and providing targeted advisory services, EGDF hopes to reduce the administrative burden that often deters smaller studios from seeking external capital. In addition, the board will explore the creation of a pan‑European seed fund that could offer early‑stage capital to promising indie projects, thereby nurturing innovation at the grassroots level. **Talent**: Recognising that the industry's growth is tightly linked to the availability of skilled professionals, EGDF will launch initiatives aimed at both attracting new entrants and retaining existing talent.
These initiatives may include partnerships with universities and vocational schools to develop curricula that reflect current industry needs, mentorship programmes that connect seasoned developers with emerging creators, and mobility schemes that facilitate the movement of talent across borders within the EU. **Skills**: To keep pace with rapid technological change, the federation plans to organise a series of workshops, masterclasses, and certification programmes covering emerging topics such as advanced graphics pipelines, cloud‑based multiplayer architectures, and, notably, artificial intelligence (AI) integration. The statement from EGDF highlighted that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of AI adoption, and the organization has set an ambitious goal of becoming the first AI‑driven European trade association. This vision involves leveraging AI tools for internal operations—such as data analysis, member outreach, and policy research—while also providing guidance to members on responsibly incorporating AI into game design and production.
In a broader sense, EGDF reaffirmed its role as a watchdog and facilitator for the European game‑industry ecosystem. The federation pledged to continue monitoring market trends, regulatory developments, and technological advancements, ensuring that European studios remain competitive on the global stage. By strengthening collaborations with individual development studios, national associations, and other European bodies, EGDF aims to amplify the visibility of European games worldwide, positioning the continent as a hub of creativity and technical excellence.
The announcement came shortly after EGDF, in partnership with Video Games Europe (VGE), released the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024. The report painted a robust picture of the sector's economic impact: European game companies generated a total turnover of €24 billion in 2024.
Moreover, the industry employed more than 95 000 individuals across over 6 600 studios, underscoring its significance as a major employer and driver of digital innovation. These figures illustrate the scale of the market that EGDF seeks to support and grow. By focusing on the three strategic pillars—funding, talent, and skills—while also pioneering AI‑centric initiatives, the federation hopes to ensure that European developers not only maintain their current market share but also expand it, capturing higher value segments such as premium AAA titles, innovative indie experiences, and emerging genres like cloud‑gaming and metaverse‑adjacent experiences. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the formation of a new, highly experienced board signal continuity and renewal for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear roadmap that prioritises financial accessibility, workforce development, and cutting‑edge technological adoption, EGDF is positioning itself as a catalyst for the next wave of growth and international recognition for Europe's vibrant game‑development community.