Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the findings of the Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that today’s most promising market segment lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that while a compact team can stretch its creative and technical capabilities further than ever before, the necessity of handling business matters does not disappear. "Even if you’re a three‑person team, someone still has to manage contracts, finances, and the day‑to‑day operations," he explains.
"I view Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access everything they need—production techniques, programming expertise, design insights, creative feedback, and also practical guidance on running a business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business acumen remains crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom experience into a full week of dedicated development programming.
Hammes believes this integration offers clear advantages. "Aligning more closely with Gamescom makes a lot of sense," he says. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, and that brings tangible benefits.
From a logistical standpoint it simplifies things for attendees. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little crossover. Now there’s a single ticket portal that gives you access to everything—from the development sessions to the main Gamescom exhibition—Monday through Friday." This year’s schedule is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions that sheer numbers should not be the primary metric.
"It isn’t a numbers game," he notes. "Success isn’t about hitting a specific quota of speakers or sessions; it’s about matching supply with demand. We’re seeing the market become more specialized, and the program reflects that shift." A practical limitation for further expansion is the venue itself: the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the current footprint comfortably accommodates the event, Hammes acknowledges that space constraints could become a bottleneck if the industry’s growth trajectory continues. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would require us to physically move closer to the main Gamescom site, which is a possibility down the line," he says.
"If the democratization of game development continues—if more indie and micro‑studios emerge—we’ll need additional room to serve that broader community." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 as a response to the departure of GDC Europe, aiming to fill the gap left by that conference. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference shares a similar audience and topic focus, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he highlights a collaborative spirit that exists behind the scenes.
"We’re separate organizations, each with our own goals, but the industry isn’t a zero‑sum game," he remarks. "Everyone wants to be profitable, yet the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
It feels more like a global circus where people travel from one event to another, sharing knowledge and networking. If one conference thrives, it lifts the entire ecosystem." He also expresses empathy for GDC’s current challenges, noting that external factors beyond their control have created difficulties for the event. Hammes hopes the situation improves for all parties involved. A noteworthy new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits—single‑day gatherings that provide top‑level executives a private environment free from press, microphones, and recordings.
Hammes believes such a “safe space” is vital given the turbulence many companies are experiencing. "These summits aren’t about listening; they’re about speaking openly and exchanging ideas," he says. "When we launched the first summit, every participant raised their hand to admit they had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed up when asked about hearing bad news from others. It underscores how challenging the climate is.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence, but these sessions allow them to be candid about struggles and seek collective solutions." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers anticipate AI will be the most transformative development in the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to acquire. "That discrepancy is telling," Hammes observes. "It suggests we might be over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it.
In reality, the most critical competency emerging from the data is leadership—27 % of respondents identified it as the key skill. This tells us that the industry recognizes change is inevitable, but the answer isn’t merely new technology; it’s strong leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are poised to capture significant market share, the conference ecosystem is evolving to become more integrated and specialized, and the human element—particularly effective leadership—remains the cornerstone for navigating upcoming challenges such as AI integration and market volatility.
The next iteration of Gamescom Dev will likely continue to adapt, balancing growth ambitions with venue realities while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for developers of all sizes.