Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the recent Gamescom Dev speaker survey as clear evidence that independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth opportunity within the broader games market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes explains to GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, marketing, and all the other non‑creative tasks that keep the operation afloat. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can tap into a full spectrum of expertise—production methods, programming techniques, creative direction, design theory, and, crucially, the know‑how required to run a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals remain indispensable." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full week of industry‑focused programming. Hammes believes this integration offers tangible benefits for attendees and partners alike.
"There are strong arguments for bringing the two events closer together," he says. "We now have a powerful partner in the main Gamescom brand, and that creates a host of practical advantages. For instance, it simplifies the ticketing process.
Previously, participants had to navigate two separate conferences, each with its own ticketing system and schedule. Now everything is consolidated into a single ticket shop, giving visitors access to all the sessions they want from Monday through Friday. In other words, you buy one ticket and you can move freely between Gamescom and Gamescom Dev throughout the week." This year’s programme features 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 distinct stages. Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be measured merely by raw numbers.
"It shouldn't be a numbers game," he remarks. "We don't need to hit arbitrary targets for speaker count or session volume. The market is becoming more specialized, and the real metric is whether we can match supply with demand in a way that serves the community’s evolving needs." One logistical challenge Hammes acknowledges is the capacity of the current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present scale of Gamescom Dev, it leaves little room for substantial expansion.
"At the moment we’re fitting comfortably within the venue, but there’s limited headroom for growth," he notes. "If the industry continues on its current trajectory—especially with the democratization of game development driven by smaller studios—we may eventually need a larger facility or a closer physical link to the main Gamescom site.
For now, the plan isn’t to dramatically increase size, because that would require a more complex relocation effort. But we are keeping an eye on future space requirements as the ecosystem evolves." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left when GDC Europe discontinued its European edition.
While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes stresses that the two events coexist rather than compete. "We’re still distinct organisations," he says.
"Everyone wants to be profitable, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry feels like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas and building relationships. It’s not about eliminating other events to become the sole platform.
When all conferences thrive, the entire industry benefits. Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges related to their operating environment, and I sincerely hope those issues improve. Ultimately, a healthy ecosystem means everyone does well." A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private setting—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can speak candidly about the sector’s turbulent climate. "The purpose isn’t just to listen; it’s to speak up and exchange ideas," Hammes explains. "I was present when the first summit began.
We did a quick show of hands to see how many attendees had delivered bad news within the past year, and every hand went up. When we asked how many had received bad news for their own companies, the hands stayed raised. It’s a difficult environment right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability.
By offering a safe space, we encourage honest dialogue about the challenges we’re all facing." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on the role of artificial intelligence in the industry’s future. While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative development over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to acquire. "What does that tell us?" Hammes asks. "It could suggest we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it.
In reality, I think the answer lies elsewhere. The survey shows 27 % of respondents rank leadership as the most critical skill. That indicates a consensus: we recognize that change is imminent, but we don’t expect technology alone to guide us.
We need leaders who can chart a course through uncertainty, inspire teams, and make strategic decisions." In summary, Hammes envisions a future where smaller studios drive innovation and market growth, supported by robust business education and strong leadership. Gamescom Dev aims to provide the infrastructure—both physical and intellectual—to nurture these emerging developers, while remaining adaptable to the space constraints and evolving dynamics of the global gaming community.