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 today’s most promising market segment belongs to smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a tiny team can produce impressive results, but the need to manage the commercial side of the operation never disappears. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. "If your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, marketing, and all the other non‑technical duties.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, artistic input, design guidance, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. Despite all the advances in technology, the business layer is still crucial for long‑term success." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience.
Hammes believes the integration offers tangible benefits for attendees and partners alike. "The case for aligning more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he says.
"We now have a powerful, established partner on our side, which brings a host of advantages. Practically speaking, it simplifies things for people who may be unfamiliar with the separate conferences.
Previously there were two distinct ticketing systems, two sets of passes, and little connection between the two events. Today there is a single ticket portal that gives you access to everything you need. It’s essentially the Gamescom business week, running from Monday through Friday. If you buy a ticket, you can also wander over to the main Gamescom exhibition later in the week." This year’s program is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured purely by numbers. "It shouldn’t become a numbers game," he notes. "We don’t need to hit arbitrary attendance targets. The market is naturally self‑regulating, and we’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization." One practical limitation, however, is the venue itself.
Gamescom Dev is currently housed in the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, a space that comfortably accommodates the present scale but offers limited capacity for future expansion. Hammes acknowledges that if the industry continues its rapid growth, the conference may eventually need to move closer to the main Gamescom site or secure a larger facility. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would require a more complex logistical shift, potentially moving physically nearer to Gamescom – which is an option we’re keeping on the table.
If the democratization of game development continues and smaller studios keep proliferating, we’ll inevitably need more room to serve everyone," he says. Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes prefers to view the relationship as complementary rather than competitive. "We’re separate organisations," he explains.
"Everyone wants to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry feels like a global circus in a positive sense – professionals travel from one conference to the next, sharing insights and building connections.
It’s not about eliminating other events to become the sole platform. When all conferences thrive, the whole sector benefits. Our friends at GDC are currently facing challenges due to external circumstances, and I sincerely hope their situation improves." A notable new feature for this edition is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can speak candidly about the turbulent market conditions.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," Hammes says. "I was present when we first launched the Summits. We asked the room how many had delivered bad news that year, and every hand went up. When we asked how many had received bad news about their own company, the hands stayed raised.
The climate is undeniably tough right now. Leaders need a safe space to be vulnerable, because at senior levels there’s often pressure to project confidence and stability." 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.
"How do we reconcile that? One could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes observes.
"My conclusion is that neither is entirely accurate. When you ask what skill truly matters most, 27 % point to leadership. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." In summary, Hammes envisions a future where small studios drive innovation, Gamescom Dev continues to serve as an integrated knowledge hub, and industry leaders prioritize people‑centric skills over pure technical prowess. The conference’s evolution—both in format and venue—will reflect the broader shifts within the gaming ecosystem, ensuring that creators of all sizes have the resources and community support needed to thrive.