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 evidence that today’s most promising market segment belongs to smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while lean teams can accomplish a great deal, the need for solid business management never disappears.
"You can achieve more with fewer team members, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he says. "Even if you run a studio of just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the myriad administrative tasks that keep the operation afloat. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access everything they need—production expertise, programming know‑how, artistic direction, design insight, and also practical guidance on running a business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the business side stays crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom week.
Hammes believes that aligning the two conferences offers clear advantages for attendees and partners alike. "There are strong arguments for bringing the two events closer together," he notes.
"We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which brings many practical benefits. Previously, we operated two separate conferences with distinct ticketing systems and little integration. Today, everything is sold through a single ticket portal, and participants can move freely between Gamescom Dev sessions and the broader Gamescom programme from Monday through Friday. It simplifies the experience and makes the whole week feel like a unified business festival." This year’s programme features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game. "We don’t want to chase arbitrary attendance targets," he says. "The focus should be on matching supply with demand.
The market is becoming more specialized, and we aim to reflect that specialization in the content we offer." Despite its growth, the venue—the Confex Center at Koelnmesse—places a ceiling on how much larger the event can become. Hammes acknowledges that the current space is adequate, but future expansion may be necessary if the industry’s trajectory continues upward. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would require us to consider moving physically closer to Gamescom, which is a possibility down the line," he explains. "If the democratization of game development continues—if more indie and micro‑studios emerge—we’ll need additional capacity to accommodate them all." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left when GDC Europe ceased operations.
While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference shares a similar audience and subject matter, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the industry. "We’re separate organizations, each with our own goals, but there’s a genuine sense of community behind the scenes," he says.
"Everyone wants to make a profit, yet the environment isn’t cut‑throat in the way some might imagine. The industry is like a global circus where professionals travel from one conference to the next.
It’s not about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together. Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges unrelated to their own actions, largely due to broader market conditions, and we hope the situation improves for them as well." A fresh feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives a private setting—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the sector’s turbulent climate. "The aim isn’t just to listen; it’s to speak openly and exchange ideas," Hammes explains.
"When we launched the summit, we asked attendees to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news in the past year. Every hand went up. We then asked who had received bad news about their own company, and again, everyone raised their hand. The current environment is undeniably tricky.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability, which can stifle honest dialogue. By creating a safe space, we encourage them to share challenges and seek collective solutions." 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 interpret that gap?
It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes reflects. "My conclusion is that neither is entirely correct.
When you ask participants what skill matters most, 27 % point to leadership. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we don’t expect technology alone to rescue us.
We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster resilience. In other words, people—not just tools—will determine how we navigate the future of gaming." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and leadership development is emerging as a critical focus. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its mission remains to provide a comprehensive platform where creators can learn, network, and grow—both creatively and commercially.