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 the most promising segment of the current games market lies with smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explained to GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle the administrative side of things. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access everything they need – production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights – and also learn the fundamentals of running a business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business acumen remains crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, a change Hammes says effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience.
"There are strong arguments for aligning more closely with Gamescom," he noted. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which brings a host of benefits. Practically speaking, it simplifies things for newcomers.
Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them. Now there is a single ticket portal that gives attendees access to everything from Monday through Friday. If you buy a ticket, you can also wander over to the main Gamescom event later in the week." This edition of Gamescom Dev features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Hammes cautions, however, that the focus should not be on sheer numbers.
"It isn’t a numbers game. We don’t need to hit arbitrary targets; it’s always about matching supply with demand.
The market is becoming more specialized, and we want to reflect that." One practical limitation Hammes acknowledges is the venue itself. The conference is held at the Confex Center within the Koelnmesse complex, which currently accommodates the event but offers "limited room to grow." He warns that if the gaming sector continues its rapid expansion, the show may eventually need to move closer to the main Gamescom grounds or find a larger space altogether. "We aren’t planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a more permanent physical proximity to Gamescom, which is a possibility for the future.
If the democratization of game development continues – with more indie and micro‑studios emerging – we’ll need more capacity to serve everyone." Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of the GDC Europe conference. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) naturally competes for a similar audience, Hammes emphasizes a collaborative spirit rather than rivalry. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he said.
"We’re separate companies, each trying to make a profit, but it’s not cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus in a positive sense – people travel from one event to another, sharing ideas and building networks. If every conference thrives, the whole ecosystem benefits." He also expressed sympathy for GDC’s current challenges, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for them.
"I hope conditions improve for them, and for all of us, because a healthy industry means everyone can succeed," Hammes added. A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda this year is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private setting—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly. Hammes believes such a "safe space" is vital for candid conversation.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explained. "When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to admit they’d delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they’d heard bad news about their own company. The environment is tough right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. These summits let them lower that guard and discuss real challenges." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence.
While 47 % of speakers anticipate 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 technical expertise alone won’t drive success. "You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the data suggests the real priority is leadership," he said.
"Twenty‑seven percent of respondents identified leadership as the most critical skill. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We need people—leaders—who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and the need for strong leadership is outpacing the hype around emerging technologies.
Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a consolidated platform for knowledge sharing, business education, and community building, all while keeping an eye on future growth and the logistical challenges that may accompany it.