Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the recent Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that the most promising segment of today’s gaming market lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a tiny team can punch above its weight in terms of creative output, but the need for solid business management never disappears.
"You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the day‑to‑day administration.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access everything they need – production techniques, programming expertise, design insights, creative feedback – and also pick up the know‑how required to run a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the fundamentals of running a company stay crucial." The event, formerly known as Devcom, underwent a rebranding in August 2025 and emerged as Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the broader Gamescom experience into a full‑week programme. Hammes believes that aligning the two events under a single banner brings tangible benefits for attendees and partners alike. "The case for bringing Gamescom Dev closer to Gamescom is compelling," he says.
"We now have a powerful, well‑established partner on our side, which creates numerous advantages. From a practical standpoint, it simplifies things for people who might be unfamiliar with the separate conferences. Previously we ran two distinct events with separate ticketing systems and little crossover. Now everything is consolidated into a single ticket shop.
When you purchase a pass, you gain access to the entire Gamescom business week, Monday through Friday, and you can move freely between the two programmes." This year’s schedule 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 be a numbers game," he notes. "We don’t need to hit arbitrary attendance targets.
The market is becoming more specialized, and it’s really about matching supply with demand." One logistical constraint Hammes acknowledges is the venue itself – the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current layout accommodates the event comfortably, there is limited capacity for further expansion. He suggests that if the gaming sector continues its rapid growth, the conference may eventually need to relocate or physically integrate more closely with the main Gamescom site. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive enlargement because that would entail a bigger logistical effort, possibly moving nearer to Gamescom," he explains.
"If the trend toward smaller, more democratized studios continues, we’ll eventually require more space to serve everyone adequately." Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
Instead, he highlights a collaborative spirit that exists behind the scenes. "We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat," he says. "The industry is like a global circus in a positive sense – people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas and experiences. It’s not about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together.
Right now GDC is facing some challenges due to external circumstances, and I hope those improve soon. When everyone succeeds, the whole ecosystem benefits." A noteworthy new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private environment free from press, microphones, or recordings. Hammes stresses the importance of offering a safe space where leaders can speak candidly about the turbulent market conditions. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he remarks. "When we opened the first summit, we asked how many attendees had delivered bad news that year – every hand went up.
We asked how many had received bad news – again, every hand stayed raised. The current climate is undeniably tough. Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability, but we want to create a setting where they can be honest about challenges without fear of judgment." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative development for the industry over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to acquire.
"How do we interpret that? It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes observes. "My take is that it’s neither.
When you ask what the most critical skill truly is, 27 % point to leadership. That tells us we recognise change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster resilience.
In other words, people – not just tech – will steer the industry forward."