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 the most promising segment of today’s gaming market lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that while lean teams can accomplish a great deal, the necessity of handling the commercial side of the business does not disappear.
"Even a three‑person studio still needs someone to manage contracts, finances, and marketing," he explains. "Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also practical guidance on running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals remain crucial." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full week of industry‑focused programming. Hammes believes the integration brings significant advantages, chiefly the simplification of ticketing and the clearer connection between the two gatherings.
"Having a single ticket platform makes it far easier for attendees who might be unfamiliar with the separate conferences," he says. "Previously there were two distinct events, two ticket types, two purchasing processes, and very little overlap.
Now everything is consolidated: you buy one ticket, you have access to the Gamescom business week from Monday through Friday, and you can still wander over to the consumer‑facing Gamescom exhibition later in the week." This year’s schedule is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers‑driven competition. "It’s not about hitting a target figure for speakers or sessions," he notes.
"It’s about matching supply with demand and allowing the program to become more specialised as the industry evolves." A practical limitation for Gamescom Dev is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present program, Hammes admits there is only "limited room to grow" within those walls. Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the conference may need to consider a larger footprint or a tighter physical integration with the main Gamescom fair.
"We’re not planning a massive expansion just yet," he says. "If the trend toward smaller, more democratized studios continues, we’ll eventually need more capacity to serve that audience. That could mean moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a bigger venue altogether." Gamescom Dev was originally launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference shares many of the same topics and draws a similar crowd, Hammes stresses that the two events coexist rather than compete.
"Both conferences are run by different organisations, and while everyone wants to be profitable, the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat," he observes. "The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one event to another, learning and sharing. If one conference does well, it lifts the whole ecosystem." He also comments on the current challenges facing GDC, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for its organisers. Hammes expresses hope that conditions will improve for all parties involved.
A notable 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 space—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. "The purpose isn’t just to listen; it’s to speak openly and exchange ideas," Hammes explains. "When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to acknowledge that they had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they’d heard bad news about their own company.
It’s a tough climate, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. We want to give them a safe environment to be candid." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on the role of artificial intelligence in the industry’s future.
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 developers need to acquire. "That disparity suggests we either overestimate AI’s impact or under‑prepare for it," Hammes says.
"In reality, the most critical competency, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership. It tells us that industry players recognise change is coming, but they’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
They’re seeking leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are gaining influence, the demand for business education is rising, and the need for strong leadership is more pronounced than ever. Gamescom Dev aims to evolve alongside these trends, offering a consolidated, accessible platform that supports both creative and commercial growth while fostering a collaborative community across the global gaming landscape.