Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the latest Gamescom Dev speaker survey as clear evidence that independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth potential in the gaming market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes explains to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, marketing and all the other non‑technical aspects.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also learn how to run a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the fundamentals of running a company stay crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the overall Gamescom experience into a full week of industry programming. Hammes believes this alignment brings clear advantages.
"Linking the two events makes sense because we now have a strong, established partner in Gamescom. It simplifies things for attendees who might have been confused before.
Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little cohesion between them. Now there is a single ticket portal that grants access to everything—from the Monday‑Friday business week to the main Gamescom exhibition." This year’s schedule features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be measured merely by numbers. "It isn’t a numbers game. We don’t chase arbitrary targets; it’s about matching supply with demand.
The market is becoming more specialized, and we want to reflect that in the content we offer." A practical limitation for the event is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space accommodates the present program, Hammes notes that "there is limited room to grow" within those walls.
Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the conference may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue. "Our current plan isn’t to balloon the event dramatically, because that would require a more substantial physical shift toward Gamescom.
If the democratization of game development continues—if smaller studios keep proliferating—we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone adequately." Devcom was launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he says.
"We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to the next.
It’s not about wiping out other events; it’s about all of us thriving together. When one conference faces challenges, like GDC’s recent venue and logistical issues, we hope they recover quickly because a healthy ecosystem benefits everyone." A notable new feature at Gamescom Dev is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings give senior industry figures a private space—free from press, microphones, or recordings—to discuss the current turbulence in the market.
Hammes stresses the importance of such safe environments. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas. When we opened the first summit, we raised our hands to see how many attendees had delivered bad news that year; every hand went up. The same happened when we asked who had received bad news about their own company.
It’s a tough climate right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. Providing a room where they can be candid helps them navigate uncertainty together." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. 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 to cultivate.
Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t suffice. "You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the real takeaway is that leadership ranks highest—27 % of respondents named it the most critical skill. This tells us that the industry recognizes change is coming and that technology won’t save us by itself. What we need are leaders who can guide teams through the transition, make strategic decisions, and foster adaptability." In summary, Gamescom Dev under Hammes’ direction is positioning itself as a comprehensive platform for both the creative and business sides of game development.
By consolidating resources, expanding the program, and introducing dedicated leadership forums, the conference aims to support the surge of small studios while acknowledging the enduring importance of solid business acumen and strong leadership. As the gaming landscape evolves—driven by AI, shifting market dynamics, and an ever‑growing pool of indie creators—events like Gamescom Dev will likely play a pivotal role in shaping how the industry adapts and thrives.