Hendrik Lesser has secured a second term as president of the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), coinciding with the unveiling of the federation’s new governing board for the 2026‑2028 period. The announcement also noted the departure of two prominent figures in the European gaming scene: David Rabineau, chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, who have both stepped down from their previous EGDF roles. The refreshed board now comprises a diverse group of industry leaders representing a broad geographic spread across Europe.
The members are: - **Martine Spaans** – Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and General Manager of the Dutch Games Association, bringing extensive experience in both studio operations and national industry advocacy. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, a key figure in supporting Finnish developers and fostering cross‑border collaborations. - **Per Strömbäck** – Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, offering insight into cultural policy and regional economic development.
- **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 commercial strategy and community building. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Head of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation, known for championing indie creators and organizing industry events.
- **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, representing the French video‑game sector and its regulatory interests. Together, this board is tasked with steering the federation through a period of rapid change and growth in the European gaming ecosystem. In its strategic outline for the 2026‑2028 term, EGDF emphasizes a commitment to creating a clear pathway for developers to ascend the value chain—from early‑stage concepts to market‑ready products—while simultaneously improving access to critical resources such as funding, talent pipelines, and specialized skill development. "The EGDF will continue to monitor and facilitate the development of the European game industry ecosystem, strengthen its collaboration with European game development studios, and increase the European game industry's global visibility," the federation stated in its official release.
This declaration underscores a dual focus: nurturing the domestic European market and amplifying its presence on the world stage, thereby attracting investment, talent, and partnership opportunities from beyond the continent. A notable element of the federation’s forward‑looking agenda is its ambition to become the first AI‑driven European trade association for the gaming sector.
Recognizing that the video‑game industry is often at the forefront of adopting artificial‑intelligence tools—whether for procedural content generation, player behavior analytics, or advanced testing frameworks—EGDF aims to embed AI capabilities into its own operations. This could involve using AI to streamline member services, predict market trends, or facilitate matchmaking between developers and investors, thereby setting a benchmark for other industry bodies.
The timing of the board announcement aligns 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 landscape, noting that the sector generated approximately €24 billion in turnover during 2024. This figure reflects the combined revenue of thousands of studios ranging from large, multinational publishers to small independent teams. Moreover, the industry employs more than 95,000 individuals across a network of over 6,600 development studios, highlighting its significance as a major employer and economic driver.
These statistics illustrate not only the financial weight of the European games market but also its capacity for job creation and innovation. The report further breaks down regional contributions, showing that countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Nordic nations remain pivotal hubs, while emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe are rapidly gaining ground.
The data underscores the importance of cross‑border collaboration, shared best practices, and coordinated policy advocacy—areas where EGDF’s renewed board seeks to make a tangible impact. In practice, the federation plans to roll out a series of initiatives designed to address the specific challenges identified by its members.
These include: 1. **Funding Access Programs** – Working closely with national and EU funding bodies to simplify application processes, provide matchmaking services between developers and investors, and launch grant schemes targeted at early‑stage projects and innovative technologies.
2. **Talent Development Pipelines** – Partnering with educational institutions, vocational schools, and private training providers to create curricula that reflect the evolving skill sets required in modern game development, such as AI integration, immersive media, and cross‑platform design.
3. **Skill‑Sharing Networks** – Establishing mentorship platforms and knowledge‑exchange forums where seasoned professionals can guide emerging studios, fostering a culture of continuous learning and peer support. 4.
**AI Integration Support** – Offering workshops, toolkits, and advisory services to help members adopt AI‑driven workflows responsibly and ethically, ensuring that the technology enhances creativity without compromising artistic integrity. 5.
**Global Visibility Campaigns** – Coordinating participation in major international trade shows, organizing showcase events across Europe, and leveraging digital marketing to highlight European titles to global audiences and media. By focusing on these pillars, EGDF aims to reinforce Europe’s position as a leading hub for high‑quality, innovative game development. The federation’s leadership believes that a concerted effort to improve funding accessibility, nurture talent, and harness emerging technologies will not only benefit individual studios but also strengthen the collective competitiveness of the European gaming sector on a worldwide scale. As the industry continues to evolve, the re‑elected president Hendrik Lesser emphasized the need for adaptability and proactive policy engagement.
"Our goal is to ensure that European developers have the tools, resources, and visibility they need to thrive in an increasingly complex market," he said. "By uniting our diverse community under a shared vision, we can drive sustainable growth, foster creative excellence, and position Europe at the forefront of the global gaming landscape." The upcoming two‑year term promises to be a dynamic period for EGDF, marked by strategic initiatives, expanded collaborations, and a forward‑thinking approach to technology adoption. With a refreshed board representing a wide array of expertise and a clear roadmap for development, the federation is poised to champion the interests of European game creators and help them navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.