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 market segment lies with smaller development studios. According to Hammes, the data underscores a shift: indie and micro‑teams are now the engines driving the greatest potential for expansion in the video‑game sector. "You can achieve more with fewer staff, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your team consists of just three people, someone still has to handle the administrative side, negotiate contracts, manage finances, and keep the operation afloat.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access everything they need—production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insight, and also practical guidance on running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the fundamentals of running a company stay crucial." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively stretches the traditional Gamescom schedule into a full week of focused industry programming. Hammes explained that the rebranding was intended to bring the two gatherings closer together, creating a seamless experience for attendees.
"The case for aligning more tightly with Gamescom is compelling," he said. "We now have a powerful, well‑established partner on our side, and that partnership brings many tangible benefits.
From a practical standpoint, it simplifies things for people who may be unfamiliar with the separate conferences. Previously there were two distinct events, two ticketing systems, two pricing structures, and very little interaction between them.
Today there is a single ticket portal that gives you access to everything you need. It’s essentially the Gamescom business week, running from Monday through Friday.
Purchase one ticket, and you can move freely between the two programmes throughout the week." This year’s edition features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers, 220 sessions, and 17 dedicated stages. Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured purely by numbers. "It shouldn’t be a numbers game," he remarked. "We don’t need to hit arbitrary attendance targets.
The real driver is supply and demand. We’re seeing the market become more specialized, and that specialization is what matters, not sheer volume." One limitation Hammes acknowledges is the physical space of the venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current layout accommodates the event, the venue offers only modest capacity for future growth. "At the moment the show fits comfortably within the existing space, but there is limited room to expand," he noted.
"If the industry continues on its current trajectory, we may eventually need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger facility. The plan for now is not to dramatically increase the size of Gamescom Dev because that would entail a much larger logistical effort. However, if the democratization of game development continues—if more small studios emerge—we’ll need more room to serve that community effectively." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left when GDC Europe ceased operations.
Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view the two events as direct competitors. Instead, he emphasizes a collaborative spirit that exists behind the scenes. "We are distinct organizations," he explained.
"Everyone wants to be profitable, but the atmosphere isn’t as cut‑throat as some might imagine. The industry is like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas and building relationships. It’s not about eliminating other events to become the sole platform. When all conferences thrive, the whole sector benefits.
Our colleagues at GDC are currently dealing with challenges related to their operating environment, which are beyond their control. I sincerely hope those issues improve, because a healthy GDC means a healthier industry overall." A notable new feature of the Gamescom Dev agenda is the introduction of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives with a private setting—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can discuss the current turbulence in the gaming market openly. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives," Hammes said. "I was present when we first launched the summit. We asked the room how many had delivered bad news that year, and every hand went up.
When we asked how many had received bad news for their own companies, the hands stayed raised. The environment is undeniably challenging right now.
We wanted to create a safe space for leaders to be candid, because at senior levels there’s often pressure to project confidence and stability, which can make honest dialogue difficult." 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 to cultivate.
"What does that tell us? It could mean we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes reflected. "My take is that it’s actually neither.
When you ask what the most critical skill truly is, the answer is leadership—27 % of respondents named it as the foremost competency. This suggests that the industry recognizes change is inevitable, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, shape strategy, and help people adapt to new realities." In summary, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a growing, yet carefully managed platform that champions the rise of small studios, offers comprehensive educational resources, and fosters a collaborative environment for industry leaders. By maintaining a balance between expansion and intimacy, and by emphasizing leadership over purely technical prowess, the conference aims to support the evolving needs of the global gaming community.