Strategic Leadership and Future Roadmap: EGDF Unveils 2026-2028 Vision
The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has officially confirmed its leadership structure for the 2026-2028 term, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the continent’s gaming sector. Hendrik Lesser has secured another term as president, signaling a period of continuity as the organization prepares to tackle the evolving challenges of the digital entertainment landscape.
This transition period sees the departure of two long-standing contributors: David Rabineau, CEO of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games. Their exit marks a shift in the board’s composition, which now features a diverse group of industry veterans tasked with steering the federation’s policy and advocacy efforts.
The New Governing Board
The newly appointed board brings together expertise from across the European continent, representing a wide array of national associations and independent studios. The members for the 2026-2028 cycle include:
- Martine Spaans: COO at Fourth Moon Games and general manager of the Dutch Games Association.
- KooPee Hiltunen: Director of the Neogames Finland Association.
- Per Strömbäck: Board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and representative of the Stockholm Region Business Council.
- Hrvoje Mitic: Head of business development at GamesCo., secretary general of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia.
- Jakub Marszalkowski: Co-founder of the Indie Games Poland Foundation and head of the Games Industry Conference.
- Vanessa Kaplan: Director general of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo.
Prioritizing Growth and Industry Sustainability
Looking ahead, the EGDF has established a clear mandate for the next two years. The federation aims to empower European developers by providing a clearer pathway to the upper echelons of the global value chain. This initiative is particularly timely, as the European gaming market continues to expand; recent industry reports suggest that the European video game market is projected to reach a valuation of over $40 billion by 2027, driven by a surge in mobile gaming and cross-platform integration.
To capitalize on this growth, the EGDF’s strategic agenda focuses on three core pillars:
- Enhanced Funding Access: Streamlining connections between developers and venture capital, public grants, and private equity to ensure studios have the liquidity needed for high-budget projects.
- Talent Acquisition: Addressing the ongoing skills gap by fostering educational partnerships and facilitating the movement of specialized labor across borders.
- Skill Development: Providing resources for studios to upskill their teams in emerging technologies, such as AI-driven development tools and cloud-based infrastructure.
By acting as a bridge between policymakers and the creative community, the EGDF intends to maintain its role as the primary monitor of the European game industry ecosystem. The federation remains dedicated to ensuring that European studios are not just participants in the global market, but leaders in innovation and creative excellence.
