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 prospect in the gaming sector lies with smaller development studios. Hammes explains that, despite limited headcounts, these indie teams can punch above their weight, but they cannot ignore the commercial side of the business. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and marketing.
I like to think Gamescom Dev offers a one‑stop shop where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative guidance, design insights, and also learn how to run a sustainable business – because technology alone isn’t enough to succeed." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full‑week programme. Hammes believes aligning the two events creates a stronger, more cohesive experience for attendees. "The case for bringing the two closer together is compelling," he said. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which brings many practical advantages.
Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little interaction between them. Today there is a single ticket portal, and everything you need is in one place. The Gamescom business week runs from Monday to Friday, and anyone who buys a ticket can also wander over to the main Gamescom exhibition until Friday." This year’s agenda features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions that the focus should not be on sheer numbers. "It isn’t a numbers game. We don’t chase arbitrary targets; it’s about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialised, and we want to reflect that," he noted.
A practical limitation for the event is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the existing programme, Hammes admits there is "limited room to grow".
Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider a larger site or a tighter integration with the main Gamescom grounds. "We’re not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a physical move closer to Gamescom, which is a possibility down the line. If the democratization of game development continues – with more small studios entering the field – we’ll eventually need more capacity to serve everyone," he explained. Devcom was launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe.
Although the San‑Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. He emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the industry. "We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The global conference circuit feels like a friendly circus – people travel from one event to the next, sharing ideas rather than trying to eliminate each other.
When one conference faces challenges, like GDC’s recent venue and environmental issues, we hope they recover quickly because a healthy ecosystem benefits everyone," he said. A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives a private environment, free from press, microphones, or recordings, to discuss the current turbulence in the market. Hammes stresses the importance of such "safe spaces" for candid dialogue. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives. In the inaugural session, everyone raised their hand when asked if they had delivered bad news that year – every hand stayed up when asked if they had heard bad news about their own company.
The climate is challenging, and leaders often feel pressured to project confidence. By offering a confidential setting, we encourage honesty and constructive problem‑solving." The speaker survey also revealed a split view 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. Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t drive success. "You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the real takeaway is that leadership tops the list of essential skills, with 27 % of respondents naming it as the most critical.
In other words, we recognise change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet; we need people who can guide teams through uncertainty." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry where small, agile studios are poised to capture the biggest growth opportunities, provided they receive the right blend of creative support and business education. The integration of Gamescom Dev with the broader Gamescom week, the addition of focused leadership forums, and the acknowledgment that human leadership outweighs pure technical prowess all signal a maturing ecosystem that values both innovation and sustainable management.