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 independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth potential in today’s gaming market. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasized that while a compact team can punch above its weight in terms of creative output, the necessity of handling the business side of operations does not disappear. "You can accomplish more with fewer people, but the commercial side still has to be managed," he explained. "Even a three‑person studio needs someone to take care of contracts, finances, and marketing.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access production expertise, programming insights, design guidance, and creative inspiration, while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business acumen remains crucial." The event itself underwent a rebranding in August 2025, when Devcom was renamed Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the traditional Gamescom experience into a full‑week affair. Hammes believes that aligning the two events more closely brings tangible benefits for attendees and partners alike. "There are strong arguments for bringing Gamescom Dev nearer to Gamescom," he said.
"We now have a powerful partner behind us, which creates many advantages. From a practical standpoint, it simplifies things for people who may not be familiar with the separate conferences. Previously we operated two distinct ticketing systems and two sets of schedules, which caused confusion.
Now everything is consolidated under a single ticket portal, giving participants access to both the business‑focused week and the main Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday." This year’s programme features an impressive 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured solely by numbers. "It shouldn't be a numbers game," he remarked. "We don't need to hit arbitrary attendance targets.
The market is naturally balancing supply and demand, and we see a trend toward greater specialization." One limitation Hammes acknowledges is the physical capacity of the venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current layout accommodates the event, there is only limited space for future expansion. Should the gaming sector continue its rapid growth, the conference may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue.
"At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would require a more substantial logistical effort, possibly relocating nearer to Gamescom," he explained. "If the democratization of game development continues—meaning more small studios entering the field—we’ll eventually need more room to serve everyone effectively." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 as a response to the departure of GDC Europe, aiming to fill the gap for European developers seeking a dedicated conference. Although the San‑Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
Instead, he describes a collaborative atmosphere behind the scenes. "We’re separate organizations, each trying to generate revenue, but the environment isn’t cut‑throat," he said.
"The industry is like a global circus where people travel from one event to another. It’s not about eliminating other conferences; it’s about all of us thriving together. When one conference faces challenges—like GDC’s recent venue and environmental issues—we genuinely hope they recover, because a healthy ecosystem benefits everyone." A fresh addition to this year’s agenda is the Leadership Summit series. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can discuss the volatile state of the market openly.
"The purpose isn’t just to listen; it’s to speak and exchange ideas," Hammes noted. "When we opened the first summit, we asked how many attendees had delivered bad news in the past year, and every hand went up.
We asked the same about receiving bad news, and again everyone raised their hand. The industry is navigating a tricky period, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. These summits give them a safe space to be candid, to admit challenges, and to collaborate on 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 for professionals to acquire. "That disparity is intriguing," Hammes observed. "It could suggest we’re either overestimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it. In reality, the data points to a different conclusion: leadership emerged as the most critical competency, with 27 % of respondents naming it the top skill.
This indicates that industry players recognize change is inevitable, but they don’t expect technology alone to solve the challenges. They’re looking for leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster resilience." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and the need for strong, adaptable leadership is rising above pure technical expertise. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve—potentially expanding its footprint and deepening its partnership with Gamescom—it aims to provide both the practical tools and the strategic insight that developers of all sizes need to thrive in a rapidly shifting market.