The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed the composition of its new board for the 2026‑2028 term and announced that Hendrik Lesser has been re‑elected to continue serving as the federation’s president. Lesser’s renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the European gaming sector, which is seeking to solidify its position on the global stage while navigating rapid technological change.
Two prominent figures stepped away from the board this cycle: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games. Their departures open space for fresh voices and expertise, ensuring the federation remains responsive to the evolving needs of its members. The newly appointed board members are: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association. Spaans brings a blend of operational leadership and industry advocacy from the Netherlands, a country known for its vibrant indie scene.
- **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association. Hiltunen’s experience in fostering collaboration among Finnish developers adds a strong Nordic perspective to the board. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council. Strömbäck’s background in cultural policy and regional economic development equips him to champion the cultural impact of games.
- **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. Mitic’s multifaceted role across business development, advocacy, and community building positions him as a bridge between Eastern and Western European markets.
- **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation. Marszalkowski’s experience in event organization and indie support provides valuable insight into nurturing emerging talent. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV) in France. Kaplan’s leadership in one of Europe’s largest national game unions adds a strong voice for French developers.
Together, this diverse group reflects a broad geographic spread and a mix of expertise ranging from studio management and policy advocacy to event production and business development. Their collective mandate, as outlined by the EGDF, focuses on creating a "route to the top of the value chain" for European game creators.
In practical terms, this means the federation will concentrate on three core pillars over the next two years: enhanced access to financing, streamlined talent pipelines, and the development of specialised skill sets. **Funding pathways** – The EGDF plans to work closely with national and EU‑level funding bodies to simplify application processes and increase the visibility of available grants.
By acting as an intermediary, the federation hopes to reduce administrative burdens for studios, especially smaller independent developers who often lack dedicated grant‑writing resources. Initiatives may include workshops on grant preparation, a centralized database of funding opportunities, and lobbying for more flexible financing structures that accommodate the iterative nature of game development. **Talent and skills** – Recognising that the industry’s growth is tightly linked to the availability of skilled professionals, the EGDF will launch programs aimed at both attracting new talent and up‑skilling existing workforces. Partnerships with universities, vocational schools, and online learning platforms are on the agenda, as is the creation of mentorship schemes that connect seasoned developers with newcomers.
The federation also intends to promote diversity and inclusion, ensuring that under‑represented groups have clear pathways into the sector. **AI integration** – In a statement released alongside the board announcement, the EGDF highlighted the gaming industry's role as an early adopter of artificial‑intelligence tools.
The federation set an ambitious goal to become the first AI‑driven European trade association. This vision encompasses the deployment of AI for internal operations—such as data analysis, member outreach, and policy monitoring—as well as supporting members in integrating AI into their own development pipelines responsibly and ethically.
The EGDF also reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring and facilitating the broader European game ecosystem. By strengthening collaboration with studios across the continent, the federation aims to boost the global visibility of European games, positioning them as cultural exports that showcase the region’s creative and technical prowess.
Earlier in the week, the 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: European game companies generated approximately €24 billion in revenue in 2024, and the sector employed over 95,000 individuals across more than 6,600 studios. These figures underscore the industry's economic significance and its potential for further expansion. The insights from the report will inform the federation’s strategic priorities, especially in areas where growth is strongest—such as live‑service games, mobile titles, and emerging technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality. By aligning its agenda with these market trends, the EGDF hopes to ensure that European developers not only capture a larger share of domestic revenue but also increase their footprint in international markets.
In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a new, geographically diverse board signal continuity and renewal for the European Games Developer Federation. Their stated focus on funding, talent, and AI, combined with a data‑driven understanding of the industry's current scale, sets the stage for a proactive two‑year plan aimed at elevating European game development to new heights.