The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has released its strategic priorities for 2026, calling on European studios and policymakers to adopt a forward-looking approach. The federation emphasised that the region’s game industry should move beyond short-term survival and focus on global competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth.
EGDF president Hendrik Lesser highlighted the role of games as more than just entertainment, describing them as a cultural and technological asset for Europe. He said that supporting creators, ensuring fair market conditions, and protecting the ability to tell authentic European stories are key steps for strengthening the industry. Lesser also acknowledged ongoing challenges, including reduced public funding, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical uncertainty, but noted that European developers continue to show resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.
Human-Led AI in Game Development
The federation addressed the growing presence of AI tools in game creation, ranging from coding assistance to content generation and workflow optimization. While acknowledging the benefits of AI, EGDF stressed that human oversight and creative direction must remain central. Lesser argued that AI should augment developers rather than replace them, warning that removing entry-level tasks could limit opportunities for future industry leaders. Maintaining human involvement, he said, is essential for sustaining talent pipelines and fostering innovation in European studios.
Fair Market Practices and Economic Stability
EGDF also called for fair market conditions to support long-term growth. Lesser pointed out concerns with platform payment practices that convert revenues from European players into U.S. dollars, which exposes local studios to currency losses. The federation highlighted that fragmented consumer regulations could disproportionately affect smaller studios, further underlining the need for coherent policies that enable European developers to compete globally without unnecessary economic disadvantage.
Preserving European Creativity and Sovereignty
Another key focus for EGDF in 2026 is strengthening Europe’s cultural and technological sovereignty. Lesser encouraged investment in local infrastructure and initiatives that support authentic European storytelling. He stressed the importance of participating in regulatory discussions to shape policies that reflect European values and approaches. According to Lesser, protecting these qualities is not only a matter of culture but also helps attract talent from across the globe to Europe’s gaming industry.
He concluded by calling for collaboration between developers, trade associations, and policymakers to secure the industry’s future, emphasizing that shared efforts are critical for maintaining competitiveness and fostering sustainable growth.
Source: PocketGamer
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the EGDF?
The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) is an organization representing game developers across Europe. It works to support the industry through advocacy, policy guidance, and promoting best practices.
What are EGDF’s priorities for 2026?
EGDF is focusing on three main areas: maintaining human-led AI in development, ensuring fair market conditions, and strengthening Europe’s cultural and technological sovereignty.
Why is human-led AI important for game development?
EGDF emphasizes that AI should support developers without replacing them. Human creative direction ensures innovation, preserves the talent pipeline, and allows studios to produce distinctive content.
What challenges do European game studios face?
Studios face reduced public funding, currency volatility, fragmented regulations, and competition from larger markets like the U.S. and China. EGDF calls for policies that mitigate these issues.
How does EGDF suggest strengthening European game sovereignty?
The federation encourages investment in local infrastructure, supporting authentic European storytelling, and engaging with policymakers to shape regulations aligned with European values and industry needs.
How can European developers get involved?
Developers are encouraged to participate in EGDF initiatives, collaborate with trade associations, and engage with regulatory discussions to help shape a sustainable and competitive industry landscape.
