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 potential lies with 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 never disappears.
"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 see Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access production expertise, coding know‑how, creative guidance, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. Technology may evolve rapidly, but solid business acumen stays crucial." The event, formerly known as Devcom until its rebranding in August 2025, has effectively become an extension of the broader Gamescom week.
Hammes believes that aligning the two conferences brings tangible benefits for attendees and partners alike. "The case for bringing Dev closer to Gamescom is compelling," he says. "We now have a strong, established partner, which simplifies the experience for newcomers.
Previously, participants had to navigate two separate conferences, purchase tickets from different platforms, and manage disjointed schedules. Today, there is a single ticketing portal that grants access to everything—from the Dev sessions to the main Gamescom exhibition—throughout the entire business week, Monday to Friday." This year’s program features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers game. "We shouldn’t chase arbitrary targets; it’s about matching supply with demand," he notes.
"The industry is becoming increasingly specialized, and our focus is on curating relevant content rather than simply inflating speaker counts." A practical limitation for further expansion is the venue itself. The Confex Center at Koelnmesse currently accommodates Gamescom Dev, but Hammes acknowledges that space constraints could become a bottleneck if the industry’s growth trajectory continues.
"At present, the venue meets our needs, but there is limited headroom for additional rooms or larger audiences," he admits. "If the democratization of game development accelerates—if more indie teams emerge and need support—we may have to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger facility. The plan isn’t to balloon the event indiscriminately; any expansion would be measured and aligned with the community’s requirements." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe.
While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference shares a similar audience and thematic focus, Hammes stresses that competition is not his perspective. Instead, he highlights a collaborative spirit that underpins the global conference circuit. "We’re distinct organizations, each with our own goals and revenue models, but the atmosphere feels more cooperative than cut‑throat," he says.
"The industry is like a traveling circus—people move from one event to another, sharing insights and building relationships. When one conference faces challenges, such as the current logistical issues at GDC, we all feel the ripple effect. A healthy ecosystem benefits everyone, and we hope all events can navigate their hurdles successfully." A notable addition to this year’s agenda is the introduction of Leadership Summits.
These intimate, one‑day gatherings provide senior executives with a private forum—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly. "The purpose isn’t just to listen; it’s to speak candidly and exchange ideas," Hammes explains. "During the inaugural summit, we raised our hands to acknowledge how many of us had delivered bad news in the past year, and every hand went up.
The same was true for those who had received negative updates. It’s a stark reminder of how challenging the current environment is.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence, but these summits create a safe space to admit vulnerabilities and seek collective solutions." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of presenters believe AI will be the most transformative force for the industry over the next three years, only 11 % view AI literacy as the top skill developers need to acquire. "That discrepancy is telling," Hammes remarks.
"It suggests we either overestimate AI’s impact or under‑prepare for it. My reading is that the real priority is leadership. About 27 % of respondents identified leadership as the most critical capability.
In other words, we recognize that change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We need people who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster resilience." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, conferences are consolidating for greater accessibility, and the emphasis is shifting from sheer scale to targeted expertise and strong leadership.
As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its role as a comprehensive resource—covering development, design, production, and business fundamentals—remains central to supporting both emerging indie creators and established studios navigating the fast‑changing gaming landscape.