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 and smaller development houses now constitute the most promising segment of the games market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explained to GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the day‑to‑day administration. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also practical lessons on running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the fundamentals of business management stay crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, underwent a rebranding in August 2025 to become Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the renowned Gamescom experience into a full‑week programme.
Hammes believes the alignment brings substantial benefits. "There are strong arguments for integrating more closely with Gamescom," he said. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which simplifies things for attendees. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little cohesion.
Now everything is consolidated under a single ticketing platform, giving visitors a seamless experience from Monday through Friday. If you purchase a pass, you can attend Gamescom Dev sessions and then walk over to the main Gamescom exhibition without needing another ticket." This year’s schedule features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "It isn’t about hitting arbitrary targets; it’s about matching supply with demand.
We see the programme becoming more specialised as the industry matures," he noted. However, the growth of Gamescom Dev is constrained by its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present programme, Hammes acknowledges that "there is limited room to expand".
Should the gaming sector continue its rapid trajectory, the organisers may need to consider relocating closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue. "Our current plan isn’t to dramatically increase the size of the event, because that would require a major logistical shift, potentially moving physically nearer to Gamescom. If the democratisation of game development continues—more small studios entering the market—we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone," he said.
Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, when it was launched 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 prefers to view the relationship as collaborative rather than competitive. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he remarked.
"We’re separate organisations, each aiming to be profitable, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas. If all events thrive, the whole ecosystem benefits." He also expressed empathy for GDC’s recent challenges, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for the conference. "I hope conditions improve for them, because a healthy GDC is good for everyone," Hammes added.
A notable new feature for this edition is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures with a private space—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly. Hammes stressed the importance of such a "safe space" for candid dialogue. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives," he explained.
"When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to admit they had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they’d received bad news themselves. The current climate is challenging, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. These summits let them be honest about the difficulties they face." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative development for the industry over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill to cultivate.
Hammes interpreted this gap as a sign that technical proficiency alone won’t suffice. "You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the data suggests the real priority is leadership," he said. "27 % of respondents identified leadership as the most critical skill. That tells us the industry recognises change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological miracle to solve everything.
We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." In summary, Gamescom Dev under Hammes’s stewardship is positioning itself as a comprehensive resource for both creative and business development, especially for smaller studios that can punch above their weight. By consolidating ticketing, expanding the programme, and adding private leadership forums, the event aims to foster a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing and strategic guidance go hand‑in‑hand. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the emphasis on strong leadership and adaptable business practices will likely remain at the forefront of industry discussions.