The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its governing board for the 2026‑2028 term and announced that Hendrik Lesser will continue in his role as president after being re‑elected by the federation’s members. Lesser’s renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the European games sector, which is seeking to strengthen its position both within the continent and on the global stage.
Two prominent figures who had previously served on the board will be stepping aside. David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, director of the No Brakes Games studio, have both decided not to seek re‑appointment. Their departures open space for fresh perspectives and new expertise to guide the federation’s strategic direction.
The newly constituted EGDF board now includes a diverse group of industry leaders representing a broad geographic spread and a range of specialisations: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, offering insight into the Nordic development ecosystem and its unique funding models. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, providing a blend of cultural policy knowledge 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, giving him a strong background in business growth, cross‑border collaboration and community building. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, adding a focus on indie development, event organisation and knowledge sharing. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing French industry interests and bringing a deep understanding of labour regulations, collective bargaining and market trends.
Collectively, this board is tasked with delivering on the federation’s two‑year agenda, which centres on creating a clear pathway for developers to move "to the top of the value chain" and on expanding access to three core resources: funding, talent, and skills development. The EGDF’s strategic plan emphasises several concrete actions: 1. **Enhanced Funding Channels** – Working closely with national and EU‑level grant programmes, the federation will produce guides, webinars and matchmaking events that help studios identify and apply for financial support. This includes targeted assistance for early‑stage indie teams, mid‑size publishers seeking expansion capital, and large studios looking to invest in next‑generation technologies.
2. **Talent Pipeline Development** – By partnering with universities, vocational schools and specialised bootcamps across Europe, EGDF aims to align curricula with industry needs, promote apprenticeships, and facilitate cross‑border talent mobility. Initiatives such as a pan‑European internship portal and a mentorship network are planned for rollout within the next twelve months.
3. **Skills Upskilling and Knowledge Transfer** – The federation will organise a series of masterclasses, panel discussions and peer‑learning groups focused on emerging areas such as live‑ops optimisation, sustainable game design, and the integration of artificial intelligence into production pipelines. In a statement released alongside the board announcement, EGDF highlighted its commitment to monitoring and nurturing the broader European game‑industry ecosystem.
The federation intends to deepen collaboration with individual studios, national associations, and other stakeholders to boost the sector’s visibility on the world stage. "We will continue to act as a catalyst for growth, ensuring that European developers have the tools, connections and platforms they need to compete internationally," the statement read.
A particularly forward‑looking element of the federation’s vision is its ambition to become the first AI‑centric trade association in Europe. Recognising that the games industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence‑driven tools—from procedural content generation to player‑behaviour analytics—EGDF plans to establish an AI advisory board, fund research projects, and develop best‑practice guidelines for ethical AI use in game development. The timing of these announcements 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 approximately €24 billion in revenue, a figure supported by more than 6,600 active development studios employing upwards of 95,000 professionals. The data underscores the sector’s rapid growth, its contribution to the digital economy, and the importance of continued support mechanisms. Beyond the numbers, the report also highlights several trends that are shaping the future of European game development.
These include a surge in cross‑platform releases, an increasing share of revenue from live‑service models, and a growing emphasis on sustainability and diversity within game narratives. The EGDF’s upcoming initiatives are designed to address these trends directly, providing developers with the resources to innovate responsibly while scaling their businesses. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a refreshed board signal continuity and renewal for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear roadmap focused on funding access, talent cultivation, skill enhancement, and AI integration, the federation is poised to reinforce Europe’s position as a leading hub for creative and technological excellence in the global gaming landscape.