Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), securing a second term as president as the association revealed its new governing board for the 2026‑2028 period. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent figures in the European gaming community: David Rabineau, chief executive of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, who have both stepped away from their board responsibilities.
The refreshed EGDF board now comprises 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, a leading voice for Finnish developers and a strong proponent of cross‑border collaboration. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and member of the Stockholm Region Business Council, known for his work on cultural policy and industry‑government liaison. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, offering a blend of commercial insight and community building.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, recognised for his expertise in event production and indie ecosystem support. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and championing regulatory and funding initiatives at a national level. Together, this board is set to steer the federation through a strategic agenda that emphasises three core pillars: enhancing developers' access to financial resources, strengthening the talent pipeline, and expanding skill‑building opportunities across Europe. The EGDF describes its mission as providing "a route to the top of the value chain" for game creators, meaning that studios of all sizes should be able to move beyond basic production and tap into higher‑margin activities such as publishing, live‑service management, and international distribution.
In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF officials underscored their commitment to monitoring and nurturing the broader European game‑industry ecosystem. They highlighted plans to deepen cooperation with individual studios, national associations, and cross‑border networks, aiming to raise the global profile of European games.
"We will continue to act as a catalyst for growth, ensuring that European developers have the tools, connections, and visibility they need to compete on the world stage," the federation said. A notable ambition outlined in the communiqué is the federation's intention to become the first AI‑focused trade association in Europe.
Recognising that the gaming sector is at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence‑driven tools—ranging from procedural content generation to player‑behaviour analytics—the EGDF aims to spearhead standards, best practices, and policy advocacy around AI usage. By positioning itself as an AI‑centric body, the federation hopes to guide ethical implementation, foster innovation, and ensure that European developers can leverage AI without compromising creativity or consumer trust. The timing of the board renewal coincides with the 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 continent’s gaming market: in 2024, European studios generated roughly €24 billion in revenue, a figure that reflects both the maturity of established publishers and the rapid growth of indie and mid‑size developers. The sector employed more than 95 000 individuals across over 6 600 studios, indicating a vibrant employment landscape that spans programming, art, design, marketing, and support functions. These statistics reinforce the federation’s strategic focus. With a market size approaching that of major global competitors, Europe possesses a substantial talent pool and a rich diversity of creative output.
However, challenges remain, particularly in securing consistent funding streams for smaller studios, navigating fragmented regulatory environments, and scaling talent development programs to meet the demand for specialised skills such as AI integration, live‑ops management, and cross‑platform optimisation. To address these hurdles, the EGDF plans to launch a series of initiatives over the next two years. First, a pan‑European funding portal will be created to aggregate information on national grants, EU programmes, and private investment opportunities, making it easier for developers to locate and apply for capital. Second, a talent‑exchange network will be established, allowing studios to share apprentices, host joint training workshops, and facilitate cross‑border internships.
Third, the federation will host a bi‑annual AI‑in‑Games summit, bringing together technologists, policymakers, and creators to discuss emerging trends, ethical considerations, and practical applications of AI in game design and production. In addition to these programmatic efforts, EGDF will continue its advocacy work at the European Union level, pushing for policies that support fair taxation, streamlined cross‑border distribution, and robust intellectual‑property protections. By aligning regulatory frameworks with industry needs, the federation hopes to reduce administrative burdens and enable developers to focus on innovation.
Overall, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a board that blends operational, academic, and policy expertise signal a period of proactive growth for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear roadmap that intertwines funding access, talent cultivation, and AI leadership, EGDF aims to cement Europe’s position as a powerhouse of creative and technological excellence in the global gaming arena.