The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that Hendrik Lesser will continue at the helm as its president for the 2026‑2028 term, while also unveiling the full composition of its new board of directors. Lesser’s re‑election comes at a pivotal moment for the federation, which is positioning itself to act as a catalyst for growth across Europe’s vibrant game‑development sector. Two prominent figures stepped away from the board during this transition. David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, the studio director of No Brakes Games, both announced their departures, making room for fresh voices and new expertise to guide the organization’s strategic direction.
The refreshed EGDF board now includes a diverse group of industry leaders representing a broad geographic spread and a variety of specialisations: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing operational insight and a deep understanding of the Dutch market. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, offering a perspective rooted in Finland’s renowned indie‑development ecosystem. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, linking cultural policy with commercial interests.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, providing a blend of business growth and community‑building experience. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference and co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie creators and fostering networking opportunities. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French video‑game sector and advocating for creators’ rights.
Together, these individuals form a board that reflects the federation’s ambition to act as a unifying force for developers across the continent, from established studios to emerging indie teams. **Strategic Priorities for 2026‑2028** The EGDF has outlined a clear agenda for the next two years, centring on three core objectives: 1. **Creating a Pathway to the Upper Echelons of the Value Chain** – The federation aims to help developers move beyond basic production and distribution, enabling them to capture higher‑value activities such as IP ownership, advanced analytics, and direct‑to‑consumer publishing.
By offering mentorship programmes, matchmaking events with investors, and workshops on monetisation strategies, EGDF intends to equip studios with the tools needed to climb the industry ladder. 2. **Improving Access to Funding, Talent, and Skills** – Recognising that financial resources and skilled personnel are the lifeblood of game creation, EGDF will work closely with national funding bodies, EU cultural programmes, and private investors to streamline grant applications and co‑funding opportunities. In parallel, the federation plans to launch a pan‑European talent‑exchange platform, facilitating the movement of developers, artists, and programmers across borders.
Dedicated training modules on emerging technologies, project management, and market trends will be made available to members, ensuring that the workforce remains competitive. 3. **Elevating the Global Visibility of Europe’s Game Industry** – To strengthen Europe’s standing on the world stage, EGDF will coordinate high‑profile showcases, participate in international trade fairs, and publish research that highlights the region’s creative output and economic impact. By amplifying success stories and fostering cross‑regional collaborations, the federation hopes to attract foreign investment and broaden the audience for European titles.
A statement from the EGDF underscored these goals: “We will continue to monitor and facilitate the development of the European game industry ecosystem, deepen collaboration with studios across the continent, and boost the sector’s global profile.” The organization also highlighted its ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association, acknowledging that the gaming sector is at the forefront of artificial‑intelligence innovation. By integrating AI tools for analytics, localisation, and content generation, EGDF seeks to set a benchmark for how trade bodies can leverage technology to serve their members. **Industry Context and Recent Findings** 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 market: in 2024, European game companies generated a turnover of €24 billion, a figure that underscores the sector’s economic significance. Moreover, the industry employed more than 95 000 individuals across over 6 600 studios, ranging from small indie outfits to large multinational publishers. These statistics not only validate the federation’s focus on funding and talent development but also illustrate the sector’s capacity for job creation and export revenue.
The report further identified trends such as the rising importance of live‑service models, the growing adoption of cloud‑based development pipelines, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability and diversity within game design. **Looking Ahead** With Hendrik Lesser back as president and a board composed of seasoned professionals from across Europe, the EGDF is well‑positioned to act as a catalyst for the next wave of growth. By championing initiatives that lower barriers to capital, nurture skilled talent, and promote European games on the global stage, the federation hopes to ensure that the continent remains a hotbed of innovation and creativity in the interactive entertainment arena. The upcoming two‑year plan will be monitored closely by stakeholders, investors, and policymakers alike, all of whom share an interest in seeing Europe’s game development community thrive in an increasingly competitive and technologically advanced global market.