EGDF names 2026-28 board, aims to become first AI-based trade association
Hendrik Lesser returns as president as the federation seeks to elevate European studios in the global value chain.
The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed its leadership board for the 2026-2028 term, re-electing Hendrik Lesser as president. The move signals a continuity of leadership as the organization pivots toward a more technologically integrated operational model.
The newly appointed board includes Martine Spaans, KooPee Hiltunen, Per Strömbäck, Hrvoje Mitic, Jakub Marszalkowski, and Vanessa Kaplan. This reshuffle follows the departure of David Rabineau, CEO of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, studio director at No Brakes Games, both of whom have stepped down from their board positions.
A Sector in Scale
This leadership transition occurs as the European gaming landscape continues to expand its economic footprint. Data from a 2024 report published jointly by the EGDF and Video Games Europe (VGE) reveals that the regional industry generated €24 billion in turnover in 2024. This economic engine is supported by a network of more than 6,600 studios and a professional workforce that now exceeds 95,000 people.
Strategic Shift Toward AI
Beyond personnel changes, the EGDF is pursuing a distinct organizational evolution. The federation has announced its ambition to become the first AI-based European trade association. This goal reflects a broader industry trend where artificial intelligence is being integrated not only into game production and asset creation but also into the administrative and organizational management of trade bodies.
By adopting an AI-driven approach, the EGDF aims to streamline its operations and better facilitate the development of the regional ecosystem. The federation stated that it will continue to monitor the industry's growth, strengthen ties with development studios, and work to increase the global visibility of European gaming.
The Path to the Value Chain
This strategic push is part of a larger effort to secure a "route to the top of the value chain" for European developers. By increasing its economic power and visibility on the world stage, the EGDF intends to ensure that European studios are not merely production hubs for foreign entities but are primary drivers of intellectual property and market value.
Looking ahead, the industry will be watching how the EGDF implements its AI-based association model and whether this operational shift translates into tangible funding and talent gains for its member studios. While the board is now set, the success of these ambitions will depend on the federation's ability to coordinate across diverse national associations during a period of rapid technological disruption.