Hendrik Lesser has once again been chosen to lead the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), confirming his second term as president while the federation revealed its new board of directors for the 2026‑2028 period. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent members of the previous board: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of the Homo Ludens studio, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio, both of whom have stepped aside to make room for fresh perspectives.
The refreshed EGDF board now brings together a diverse group of industry veterans and representatives from key European gaming organisations. The lineup includes: - **Martine Spaans**, who serves as Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holds the role of General Manager at the Dutch Games Association, providing a strong link between Dutch development talent and broader European initiatives. - **KooPee Hiltunen**, director of the Neogames Finland Association, bringing insights from Finland’s vibrant indie scene and its well‑established support structures for developers. - **Per Strömbäck**, a board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and a participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering a blend of cultural policy experience and regional economic development expertise.
- **Hrvoje Mitic**, head of business development at GamesCo., secretary‑general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia, who adds a strategic commercial viewpoint and deep knowledge of the emerging Central‑Eastern European market. - **Jakub Marszalkowski**, head of the Games Industry Conference and co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, contributing a strong focus on networking events and indie‑developer advocacy. - **Vanessa Kaplan**, director‑general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French developers and ensuring that the federation’s policies reflect the needs of one of Europe’s largest gaming communities.
Together, these six individuals form a board that reflects the geographical breadth and sectoral diversity of Europe’s game development landscape, ranging from large‑scale studios to indie collectives, and from established markets to fast‑growing regions. In its strategic outlook for the 2026‑2028 term, the EGDF has laid out a clear agenda centred on three core pillars: enhancing developers’ position within the value chain, expanding access to financial resources, and strengthening the talent pipeline and skill development mechanisms across the continent. The federation describes its mission as providing “a route to the top of the value chain,” meaning that studios of all sizes should have clearer pathways to higher‑value activities such as publishing, international distribution, and the integration of advanced technologies.
To achieve these goals, the EGDF plans to: 1. **Facilitate Funding Opportunities** – By working closely with European Union programmes, national grant agencies, and private investors, the federation intends to streamline the application process for developers, create matchmaking events, and publish regular guides on available financing options.
The aim is to reduce the administrative burden that often hinders small studios from securing the capital they need for growth. 2. **Develop Talent and Skills** – The board will launch a series of training initiatives, mentorship schemes, and cross‑border apprenticeship programmes. These will be designed to address skill gaps in areas such as AI integration, live‑service management, and sustainable game design.
Partnerships with universities, vocational schools, and online learning platforms will be expanded to ensure that Europe’s future workforce is equipped for the evolving demands of the industry. 3. **Promote Visibility and Collaboration** – By organising high‑profile events, publishing research, and maintaining a robust communication channel with media outlets, the EGDF seeks to raise the global profile of European games. The federation also intends to strengthen its collaborative ties with national game associations, studios, and other trade bodies to foster a unified European voice in policy discussions.
The statement released by the EGDF highlighted the organisation’s ongoing commitment to monitoring and supporting the European game ecosystem. It emphasised the importance of “strengthening collaboration with European game development studios” and “increasing the European game industry’s global visibility.” These points underscore the federation’s belief that a cohesive, well‑networked community can better compete on the world stage. A particularly forward‑looking aspect of the EGDF’s plan is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association.
Recognising that the gaming sector is at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—ranging from procedural content generation to player‑behaviour analytics—the federation intends to embed AI into its own operations. This could involve using AI for data analysis, member outreach, policy drafting, and even predictive market insights, positioning EGDF as a pioneer in leveraging technology for trade‑association efficiency.
Earlier in the week, the EGDF collaborated with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the *European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024*. The report offers a snapshot of the sector’s economic impact, revealing that European games generated a turnover of €24 billion in 2024. It also noted that more than 6,600 studios were active across the continent, employing upwards of 95 000 individuals.
These figures illustrate the substantial scale of the industry and reinforce the importance of the EGDF’s mission to support its continued growth. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, geographically diverse board signal a period of continuity blended with fresh strategic direction for the European Games Developer Federation.
By concentrating on funding access, talent development, and AI integration, the EGDF aims to empower developers to climb higher on the value chain, enhance the competitiveness of European games worldwide, and ensure that the continent remains a vibrant hub for creative and technological innovation in interactive entertainment.