Hendrik Lesser has secured a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the federation’s announcement of its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 period. The leadership reshuffle also sees the departure of two notable 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 freshly appointed EGDF board now comprises a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from key European gaming organisations: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer of Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and member of 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. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo. Together, this cohort brings a blend of strategic insight, regional representation, and hands‑on experience that the federation believes will help steer Europe’s game development sector through a period of rapid technological change and market expansion.
**Strategic Priorities for 2026‑2028** The EGDF has outlined an ambitious agenda for the next two years, centred on three core pillars: enhancing developers’ access to capital, strengthening talent pipelines, and expanding skill‑building opportunities across the continent. The federation describes its mission as creating "a route to the top of the value chain" for European studios, meaning that creators of all sizes should be able to move beyond basic production and enter higher‑margin areas such as live‑service models, IP licensing, and international distribution. To achieve these goals, the EGDF plans to: 1. **Facilitate Funding Access** – Work closely with public and private investors, EU cultural funds, and national grant programmes to streamline application processes and raise awareness of available financing options.
The federation will also host matchmaking events that connect indie developers with venture capitalists and publishing partners. 2. **Cultivate Talent** – Partner with universities, vocational schools, and specialised training centres to develop curricula that reflect current industry needs, from advanced programming and AI integration to narrative design and user‑experience research.
Scholarships and apprenticeship schemes are slated to be expanded, particularly in regions where the gaming sector is still emerging. 3. **Boost Skills Development** – Organise workshops, webinars, and conference tracks focused on emerging technologies such as cloud‑based development, cross‑platform optimisation, and, notably, artificial intelligence. By providing hands‑on learning experiences, the EGDF hopes to upskill the existing workforce and prepare newcomers for the evolving demands of game creation.
"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 federation said in an official statement. This reflects a broader ambition to position Europe not only as a prolific content creator but also as a thought leader in the next wave of digital entertainment. **AI as a Strategic Frontier** A distinctive element of the federation’s roadmap is its focus on artificial intelligence. Recognising that the gaming sector often leads the adoption of AI‑driven tools—ranging from procedural content generation to player‑behaviour analytics—the EGDF has set a goal of becoming the first AI‑centric European trade association.
This will involve establishing working groups dedicated to AI ethics, data privacy, and the development of open‑source frameworks that can be shared across member studios. By championing AI, the EGDF aims to give European developers a competitive edge in a market where efficiency, personalization, and rapid iteration are increasingly tied to intelligent automation.
The federation also plans to lobby EU policymakers for regulations that support responsible AI use while safeguarding creative freedom. **Industry Context: 2024 Snapshot** Earlier in the week, the EGDF collaborated with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024.
The report paints a robust picture of the sector’s economic impact: European game companies generated approximately €24 billion in turnover during 2024. This revenue was produced by more than 6,600 studios, collectively employing over 95 000 individuals across development, publishing, marketing, and ancillary services. These figures underscore the sector’s significance as a driver of employment and innovation within the broader European digital economy. They also highlight the importance of the EGDF’s upcoming initiatives, as sustained growth will depend on continued investment in talent and technology.
**Looking Ahead** With Hendrik Lesser at the helm for a second term and a refreshed board bringing fresh perspectives, the EGDF is poised to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By focusing on funding pathways, talent cultivation, skill enhancement, and AI integration, the federation intends to ensure that European game developers can not only compete on the global stage but also shape the future of interactive entertainment.
Stakeholders across the continent—including studios, educators, investors, and policymakers—are invited to engage with the EGDF’s programs and contribute to a collaborative ecosystem that supports creativity, innovation, and economic prosperity for years to come.