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 unveiled its new board for the 2026‑2028 period. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent figures: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio, both of whom have stepped down from their board positions.
The refreshed EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from a range of European gaming bodies: - **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. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – director of the Neogames Finland Association, bringing extensive experience in the Nordic development scene. - **Per Strömbäck** – a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and an active participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, a platform that showcases regional talent.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – leader of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing independent creators. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – director general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, the French national union for video‑game professionals.
Together, this six‑person board is tasked with steering EGDF through a pivotal phase for the European gaming ecosystem. In a detailed agenda released alongside the board announcement, the federation emphasized three core pillars for the 2026‑2028 term: creating a clear pathway for developers to ascend the value chain, expanding access to essential funding sources, and strengthening the talent pipeline through targeted skill‑building initiatives. "Our mission remains to monitor and actively support the growth of the European game‑development landscape," the federation stated in its official release. "We will deepen collaboration with studios across the continent, amplify the sector’s visibility on the global stage, and ensure that European creators have the resources they need to compete internationally." A notable strategic ambition highlighted by EGDF is its intention to become the first AI‑focused European trade association within the gaming sector.
Recognizing that the video‑game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to advanced analytics—the federation aims to harness AI to streamline operations, improve matchmaking between developers and investors, and foster innovative gameplay experiences. The timing of the board rollout coincides with the publication 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: European studios generated approximately €24 billion in revenue during the 2024 fiscal year, a figure driven by more than 6,600 active development companies employing upwards of 95,000 professionals across the continent. These statistics underscore the sector’s rapid expansion and its growing contribution to the broader European economy.
In light of these numbers, EGDF’s renewed focus on funding pathways is particularly salient. The federation plans to negotiate with both public and private investors to create dedicated grant programmes, tax‑incentive schemes, and venture‑capital partnerships tailored to the unique needs of game developers. By simplifying the application process and offering mentorship from seasoned industry leaders, EGDF hopes to lower the barriers that many small and medium‑sized studios face when seeking capital.
Talent development is another cornerstone of the federation’s strategy. Recognising the shortage of specialised skills—such as advanced programming, narrative design, and user‑experience research—the board intends to launch a series of educational initiatives. These will include scholarship programmes, apprenticeship placements with leading studios, and a continent‑wide network of workshops that address emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI‑driven design tools.
Partnerships with universities, technical colleges, and online learning platforms will be cultivated to ensure a steady pipeline of qualified professionals. The board also aims to enhance the visibility of European games on the world stage.
Plans are underway to increase participation in major international trade fairs, such as Gamescom, GDC, and the Tokyo Game Show, while also creating a dedicated European showcase that highlights indie titles, culturally distinct projects, and innovative uses of technology. By promoting cross‑border collaborations and encouraging joint ventures, EGDF hopes to foster a more integrated European market that can collectively rival the dominance of North American and Asian publishers.
Finally, the AI ambition will be operationalised through the creation of an AI‑lab within EGDF, staffed by data scientists, ethicists, and game designers. This lab will explore practical applications—such as AI‑assisted level design, predictive analytics for player retention, and automated testing pipelines—while also establishing ethical guidelines to ensure responsible use of AI in games. The federation envisions that, by leading in this space, Europe can set standards that influence global industry practices. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a refreshed, internationally representative board signal a period of strategic growth for the European Games Developer Federation.
With a clear agenda focused on funding accessibility, talent cultivation, AI integration, and global promotion, EGDF is positioning itself to support developers in navigating the increasingly complex and competitive landscape of the video‑game industry, ensuring that Europe remains a vibrant hub for creativity, innovation, and economic contribution.