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 segment of the games market 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 need for solid business management 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 handle contracts, finances, and the day‑to‑day operational tasks.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative guidance, design insight, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side stays crucial." The event itself underwent a significant rebranding in August 2025, when Devcom was renamed Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the renowned Gamescom festival into a full‑week affair. Hammes believes that aligning the two events brings considerable benefits.
"The rationale for bringing Gamescom Dev closer to Gamescom is compelling," he says. "We now have a powerful partner on our side, which opens up many practical advantages. For attendees who may be unfamiliar with the previous format, the integration simplifies everything. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticket types, and two purchasing systems, with little synergy between them.
Now there is a single ticket portal that gives access to everything. The whole thing runs from Monday through Friday as part of the Gamescom business week, so anyone who buys a ticket can also wander over to the main Gamescom exhibition later in the week." This year’s program is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game. "We don’t aim to hit arbitrary attendance targets; it’s always about matching supply with demand.
The market is becoming more specialised, and we want to reflect that in our agenda," he notes. A practical limitation for the conference is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present scale, Hammes acknowledges that “there is limited room to grow.” Should the industry continue on its rapid trajectory, the event may need to expand physically and perhaps move even closer to the main Gamescom site. "Our current plan isn’t to balloon the event dramatically because that would require a major logistical shift, possibly relocating nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues—if more indie and micro‑studios emerge—we’ll eventually need more floor space to serve everyone." Gamescom Dev traces its roots 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. He highlights a strong sense of community behind the scenes. "We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry is like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge rather than trying to eliminate each other. When one event faces challenges, such as the current difficulties GDC is experiencing due to external conditions, we all hope the situation improves because the health of one conference reflects on the health of the whole ecosystem." A notable new feature for this edition of Gamescom Dev is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market landscape openly.
Hammes stresses the importance of such a “safe space.” "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he says. "When we opened the first summit, we asked everyone to raise a hand if they had delivered bad news that year. Every hand went up. When we asked who had heard bad news about their own company, the hands stayed up.
The environment is challenging right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability. We want to give them a room where they can be candid without fearing reputational damage." The speaker survey also revealed a split view 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. Hammes interprets this disparity as a signal that technical expertise alone won’t solve upcoming challenges.
"You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he says. "My conclusion is that neither is true. When you ask what skill truly matters most, 27 % of respondents 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, set strategic direction, and foster a culture that can adapt." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is consolidating for greater accessibility, and leadership—more than any specific technology—is seen as the critical factor for navigating the future. Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a comprehensive platform where creators can learn both the craft of game making and the business acumen required to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.