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 today’s most promising opportunity in the gaming sector lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz he explains that even a three‑person team can produce impressive results, but the need to handle the business side of things does not disappear. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he says.
"Even if you’re just three people, someone still has to manage contracts, finances, and marketing. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop shop where creators can pick up production know‑how, coding expertise, creative input, design guidance, and also learn how to run a sustainable business, because despite all the technological advances, the commercial aspect is still crucial." In August 2025 the long‑standing Devcom conference was rebranded as Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the reach of the flagship Gamescom event into a full week of industry programming.
Hammes believes the alignment makes strategic sense. "The case for bringing Dev closer to Gamescom is compelling," he notes. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, and that brings many practical benefits.
For attendees who may not be familiar with the separate events, the new structure is far simpler. Previously there were two conferences, two ticket types, two purchasing systems, and little connection between them. Now there’s a single ticket portal that gives you access to everything you need. It’s essentially the Gamescom business week, running from Monday through Friday.
If you buy a ticket, you can also wander over to the main Gamescom exhibition until Friday." The 2024 edition of Gamescom Dev features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured solely by numbers. "It shouldn’t be a numbers game. We don’t need to hit arbitrary attendance targets.
It’s always about supply and demand. We’re seeing the market become more specialized, and that’s where the value lies." A practical limitation for the event, however, is the size of its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present program, Hammes acknowledges that “there is limited room to grow.” He suggests that if the gaming industry continues its current trajectory, the conference may eventually need to expand physically and perhaps move even closer to the main Gamescom site. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion, because that would require a larger logistical effort and possibly a relocation nearer to Gamescom, which is an option we’re keeping under review. If the democratization of game development continues—more indie studios, more distributed teams—we’ll need more capacity to serve everyone," he explains. Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe.
While 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 emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the industry. "We’re separate organizations, of course, and everyone wants to make a profit, but it’s not as cut‑throat as some might think. The industry feels like a global circus—in a good way—where people travel from one conference to another.
It’s not about crushing other events; it’s about all of us thriving together. When one conference faces challenges, like GDC does now with venue and environmental constraints, we hope the situation improves for them as well.
A healthy ecosystem benefits everyone," he says. A fresh feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day gatherings give senior executives a private forum—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. Hammes stresses the importance of such a “safe space.” "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas. I was there when the first summit launched.
We asked the room how many had to deliver bad news that year, and every hand went up. When we asked who had heard bad news about their own company, the hands stayed up. The environment is undeniably tricky right now. Leaders often feel pressured to project confidence, but we want to create a setting where they can be honest about challenges and share insights without fear of reputational damage," he explains.
The speaker survey also reveals 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 gap as a sign that the industry may be over‑estimating AI’s impact while under‑preparing for it, or perhaps the opposite. "My conclusion is that it’s neither.
When you ask what skill truly matters, 27 % point to leadership as the most important. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We’re looking for people—leaders—who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt," he says.
Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining influence, conferences are consolidating for greater accessibility, and leadership—more than any specific technology—is seen as the key to navigating the future. Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a comprehensive platform where creators can learn the craft, master the business, and connect with peers, all under one roof. As the event continues to adapt, its success will depend on how well it can accommodate the growing diversity of developers while maintaining the collaborative spirit that Hammes believes is essential for the health of the global gaming ecosystem.