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 clear evidence that today’s most promising market segment belongs to smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that while a compact team can punch above its weight creatively and technically, the necessity of handling the business side of operations does not disappear. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to manage contracts, finances, and marketing," he explains.
"Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, design insight, and also practical guidance on running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology gets, solid business fundamentals remain crucial." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom week, creating a seamless week‑long experience for attendees. Hammes believes the integration offers significant benefits: "Being directly linked to Gamescom gives us a powerful partner and simplifies logistics for participants.
Previously we ran two separate conferences with distinct ticketing systems, which was confusing. Now there’s a single ticket portal, and visitors can move between the development program and the broader Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday." This year’s lineup features an impressive 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers‑driven competition. "We’re not chasing arbitrary attendance targets; it’s about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialized, and we want to reflect that depth rather than sheer volume," he says.
Space constraints at the current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, are beginning to show their limits. While the facility can still accommodate the present program, Hammes notes that “there is limited room to grow.” Should the industry’s trajectory continue upward, the organizers may need to consider a larger footprint or a tighter physical integration with the main Gamescom site. "We’re not planning a massive expansion right now, but if the democratization of game development continues—more indie teams, more diverse projects—we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone effectively," he adds.
Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 as a response to the disappearance of the GDC Europe conference, filling a gap for European developers seeking a dedicated forum. Although the San‑Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience, Hammes prefers to view the relationship as collaborative rather than competitive. "Both events serve a global community.
It’s not about out‑competing each other; it’s about fostering a healthy ecosystem where success in one arena lifts the entire industry," he remarks. He also expresses empathy for GDC’s recent challenges, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for them. A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures with a private setting—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly.
Hammes stresses the importance of such “safe spaces.” "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging candid experiences. When we asked participants how many had delivered bad news in the past year, every hand went up. The same was true for those who had received bad news.
It’s a tough climate, and leaders need a venue where they can admit vulnerability without the pressure to project constant confidence." 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 developers need to acquire. Hammes interprets this gap as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t drive success.
"The data suggests we either overestimate AI’s impact or under‑prepare for it. In reality, the most critical capability is leadership—27 % of respondents singled it out as the key skill.
This tells us that the industry recognizes change is coming, but it’s not looking for a technological quick‑fix. It’s looking for people who can guide teams through uncertainty and chart a clear path forward." In summary, Hammes envisions a future where small studios are empowered by both creative tools and robust business education, where Gamescom Dev serves as an integrated platform within the larger Gamescom ecosystem, and where industry leaders prioritize transparent dialogue and strong leadership over mere technical hype. As the event continues to evolve, its success will hinge on balancing growth with the intimate, specialized focus that makes it valuable for developers of all sizes.