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 in the European gaming community: 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 national associations and game‑related enterprises. The members are: - **Martine Spaans**, who serves as chief operating officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holds the role of general manager for the Dutch Games Association. Her dual experience in studio operations and national advocacy equips her to bridge the gap between independent developers and larger market forces.
- **KooPee Hiltunen**, director of the Neogames Finland Association, bringing insight from the vibrant Finnish gaming ecosystem and a strong track record in fostering collaboration among Nordic studios. - **Per Strömbäck**, a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and a participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, whose background blends cultural policy with business development, positioning him to champion the cultural significance of games across Europe.
- **Hrvoje Mitic**, head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. His multifaceted role gives him a panoramic view of the Central and Eastern European market, from startup incubation to international distribution.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski**, head of the Games Industry Conference and co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, who is known for organizing high‑impact events that showcase emerging talent and facilitate networking across borders. - **Vanessa Kaplan**, director general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French video‑game sector and advocating for policy reforms that benefit creators and publishers alike. Together, this board is tasked with steering the federation through a period of rapid technological change and heightened global competition.
The EGDF has laid out a clear agenda for the next two years, centering on three core objectives: providing developers with a clearer pathway to ascend the value chain, expanding their access to financial resources, and strengthening the talent pipeline through targeted skills development programs. In a statement released alongside the board announcement, the federation emphasized its commitment to monitoring and nurturing the European game‑industry ecosystem.
"We will continue to act as a catalyst for collaboration among European studios, helping them to scale their operations and increase their visibility on the world stage," the EGDF said. The organization also highlighted its ambition to become the first AI‑driven trade association in Europe, noting that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools for everything from procedural content generation to player analytics. By integrating AI into its own operations, the EGDF aims to set a benchmark for how trade bodies can leverage technology to serve their members more efficiently.
The federation’s strategic focus aligns with broader industry trends that show Europe’s gaming market continuing to grow in both economic weight and creative influence. Earlier in the week, EGDF partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024.
The report paints a robust picture of the sector: European studios generated a total turnover of €24 billion in 2024, and the continent now hosts more than 6,600 development studios employing upwards of 95,000 professionals. These figures underscore the sector’s contribution to the European economy and its role as a major employer of highly skilled talent.
Beyond the headline numbers, the report delves into regional performance, noting that Western Europe continues to dominate in terms of revenue, while Central and Eastern European countries are experiencing the fastest growth rates, driven by supportive government policies, tax incentives, and a surge in indie development. The data also reveals a rising share of revenue coming from live‑service games, subscription models, and cross‑platform releases, indicating a shift in consumer preferences toward more persistent and interconnected gaming experiences. In response to these dynamics, the EGDF plans to roll out a series of initiatives designed to help studios navigate the evolving landscape.
One such initiative is the creation of a pan‑European funding portal that will aggregate national grants, EU‑level financing programs, and private‑sector investment opportunities into a single, searchable database. This portal aims to simplify the application process for developers, especially smaller studios that often lack the resources to monitor multiple funding streams. Another priority is talent development.
The federation intends to launch a mentorship network linking seasoned industry veterans with emerging creators, offering guidance on topics ranging from game design and narrative development to business strategy and international market entry. In addition, EGDF will partner with universities, technical schools, and online learning platforms to design curricula that reflect the latest industry standards, ensuring that graduates possess the skills that employers are actively seeking. The board also plans to strengthen advocacy efforts at the European Union level, pushing for policies that support fair competition, protect intellectual property, and promote sustainable development practices within the gaming sector. By positioning itself as a unified voice for developers across the continent, EGDF hopes to influence legislation that can reduce barriers to market entry and foster a more inclusive, innovative environment.
Finally, the federation’s AI ambition will be operationalized through the development of an internal analytics platform that uses machine learning to track market trends, consumer behavior, and regulatory changes in real time. This platform will provide member studios with actionable insights, helping them to make data‑driven decisions about game design, marketing strategies, and distribution channels.
Overall, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, strategically balanced board signal a period of renewed energy and forward‑looking vision for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear focus on funding accessibility, talent cultivation, and AI integration, the organization is poised to support its members as they strive to compete not only within Europe but on the global stage, ensuring that European games continue to captivate players worldwide.