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 the most promising segment of the current games market lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a three‑person team must still allocate resources to business functions, underscoring that creative and technical prowess alone is insufficient for success. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. "If you’re a three‑person studio, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and marketing.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where you can access production expertise, programming know‑how, design insights, and creative feedback, while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side remains a critical pillar." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the larger Gamescom festival into a full‑week affair.
Hammes believes the rebranding creates a stronger synergy between the two gatherings. "The case for aligning more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he says. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which brings a host of practical benefits.
Previously, attendees had to navigate two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and two distinct purchasing processes, which made the experience fragmented. Now everything is consolidated under a single ticket shop. Participants can buy one pass and enjoy both the dedicated Gamescom Dev programming and the broader Gamescom exhibitions from Monday through Friday." This year’s schedule is robust, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "We don’t aim to hit arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals.
It’s always about balancing supply and demand. We’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization, and the program reflects that shift," he notes.
Despite the growth, the venue – the Confex Center at Koelnmesse – imposes physical limits. Hammes acknowledges that while the current layout accommodates the event, there is "limited room to expand" within the existing space. Should the industry continue its upward trajectory, the conference may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or even finding a larger venue.
"Our immediate plan isn’t to dramatically increase the size of Gamescom Dev because that would require a more complex logistical arrangement, possibly involving a relocation nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues – with more indie and micro‑studios entering the market – we’ll inevitably need more space to serve that broader audience," he says. Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, filling the void left when GDC Europe ceased operations.
While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference shares a similar audience and agenda, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he remarks. "We’re separate organizations, each pursuing profitability, but the industry isn’t a zero‑sum game.
It’s more like a global circus where people travel from one conference to another. If everyone thrives, the whole ecosystem benefits." Hammes also comments on the challenges facing GDC at the moment, noting that external factors have created a difficult environment for the event. He expresses hope that conditions improve for all conferences, emphasizing that a healthy, diverse conference landscape is a sign of a robust industry.
A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private forum—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the games market.
Hammes stresses the importance of such a "safe space" for candid dialogue. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives," he says. "When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to acknowledge delivering bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked about hearing bad news for their own companies.
The environment is undeniably tough right now. Leaders often feel pressured to project confidence and stability, but we need a setting where they can be honest about challenges and seek collective solutions." The speaker survey also reveals 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 developers need to acquire.
Hammes interprets this discrepancy as a sign that technical preparation alone won’t suffice. "You could argue we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he observes. "In reality, the most critical skill, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership.
That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We’re seeking leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster resilience." In summary, Frederik Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are emerging as the engine of growth, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and leadership—more than any single technology—will determine how the sector navigates upcoming disruptions.
Gamescom Dev aims to be the nexus where creative talent, technical expertise, and business acumen converge, offering both education and a supportive community for the next generation of game makers.