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 independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth potential within the broader games industry. 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. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. "Even if you're a three‑person studio, someone still has to manage contracts, finances, and marketing.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access production expertise, programming knowledge, creative direction, design insights, and also learn how to run a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business acumen remains crucial." The event itself underwent a major transformation in August 2025 when Devcom was rebranded as Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the renowned Gamescom brand into a full‑week program. Hammes believes that aligning the two events under a single banner offers clear advantages for attendees and partners alike.
"The case for bringing Gamescom Dev closer to Gamescom is compelling," he says. "We now have a powerful, established partner, which simplifies things for participants.
Previously, there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy. Now everything is consolidated under one ticket portal, and the schedule runs from Monday through Friday as part of the Gamescom business week. If you purchase a ticket, you can attend both the Dev sessions and the main Gamescom expo without juggling multiple passes." This year’s program is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured solely by numbers. "It shouldn't become a numbers game," he notes.
"We aren't chasing arbitrary attendance targets; it's about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialized, and we aim to reflect that specialization in our content rather than simply inflating headcounts." One practical limitation Hammes highlights is the venue itself. Gamescom Dev is currently housed in the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, a space that comfortably accommodates the event for now but offers limited capacity for future expansion.
"Our current venue fits the show, but there's only so much room to grow," he admits. "If the industry continues its rapid expansion, we may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger facility.
The long‑term plan isn’t to become dramatically bigger overnight; any significant growth would have to be coordinated with a potential relocation nearer to Gamescom." He adds that the democratization of game development—where smaller studios can produce high‑quality experiences with modest resources—could eventually demand more physical space to serve a broader community of creators. "If the trend toward smaller, more agile studios continues, we’ll need additional room to accommodate everyone," Hammes says. "The industry’s trajectory suggests that we’ll have to adapt our infrastructure to support that inclusivity." Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, created to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) remains a natural competitor—targeting similar audiences and topics—Hammes prefers to view the relationship as complementary rather than adversarial.
"We’re separate entities, each with our own focus," he explains. "Everyone wants to be profitable, but the competition isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry operates like a global circus, with professionals traveling from one conference to another. It’s not about eliminating rivals; it’s about all of us thriving together. When one event faces challenges—like GDC’s current venue issues—it affects the whole ecosystem, and we hope they overcome those hurdles soon." A notable new feature of this year’s schedule is the introduction of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day gatherings provide a private setting where senior executives can converse without the presence of press, microphones, or recording devices. Hammes stresses the importance of offering leaders a safe environment to discuss the sector’s turbulent climate. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he says.
"During the inaugural summit, we raised hands to see how many attendees had delivered bad news within the year—every hand went up. When we asked how many had received bad news about their own companies, the same result occurred.
The current environment is undeniably challenging. Leaders need a confidential space to admit vulnerability, because at senior levels there’s often pressure to project strength and stability." 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 for professionals to acquire. "What does that tell us?" Hammes reflects.
"It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it. In reality, the most critical skill identified was leadership, cited by 27% of respondents.
This suggests that industry players recognize change is inevitable, but they don’t expect technology alone to navigate it. They’re looking for leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." In summary, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a catalyst for small studios to thrive, a platform that blends technical know‑how with essential business education, and a community that values collaboration over competition. As the event continues to evolve—potentially expanding its physical footprint and deepening its integration with Gamescom—it aims to remain a hub where creators, developers, and executives can share insights, confront challenges, and shape the future of gaming together.