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 independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most promising segment of the games market. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a three‑person team must still allocate someone to handle the commercial side of the operation.
"You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. He believes Gamescom Dev offers a one‑stop environment where developers can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative input, design guidance, and also practical lessons on running a sustainable business, because despite rapid technological advances, solid business fundamentals remain crucial.
The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the traditional Gamescom week. Hammes argues that aligning the two events creates a stronger, more cohesive experience for attendees.
"We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that partnership brings many benefits. For example, it simplifies ticketing: previously there were separate conferences, separate ticket types, and separate purchasing systems, which made navigation confusing for newcomers. Today there is a single ticket portal that grants access to everything from Monday through Friday, allowing participants to move freely between Gamescom Dev sessions and the main Gamescom exhibition," he says.
This year’s programme is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 individual sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be measured purely by numbers. "We don’t want to chase arbitrary targets. It’s more about matching supply with demand and recognizing that the market is becoming increasingly specialised," he notes.
A practical limitation for the event is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present schedule, Hammes acknowledges that there is "limited room to grow" within those walls.
Should the industry continue its current expansion trajectory, the organisers may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue. "We are not planning a massive expansion just yet, because that would require a more substantial logistical shift.
Yet if the trend toward smaller studios and the democratization of game development continues, we will eventually need more capacity to serve a broader audience," he adds. Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, when it was created to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San‑Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar demographic and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. He highlights a sense of community that exists "behind the scenes" across the industry.
"We are separate organisations, each pursuing profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry functions like a global circus—in a positive sense—where professionals travel from one conference to another. It’s not about eliminating other events; when every conference thrives, the whole ecosystem benefits.
At the moment GDC faces challenges due to external conditions, and we hope those improve soon," he says. A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives a private forum—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. Hammes stresses the importance of a "safe space" where leaders can speak candidly about difficulties rather than merely projecting confidence.
He recounts an opening poll where every participant raised their hand to acknowledge delivering bad news in the past year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they had heard negative news about their own companies. "The environment is undeniably tricky right now. By offering a confidential setting, we enable leaders to share openly, which is essential when the norm is to appear unflappable," he explains.
The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of presenters believe AI will be the most transformative development for the sector over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to acquire. Hammes interprets this disparity as neither an overestimation of AI’s impact nor an under‑preparation for it.
"If you ask what skill truly matters, the answer is leadership. Twenty‑seven percent of respondents identified leadership as the most critical capability. This signals that the industry recognises change is inevitable, but it isn’t looking for a technological panacea. Instead, it seeks leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty," he concludes.
Overall, 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, empathetic leadership is rising above pure technical expertise. Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a comprehensive platform that blends creative, technical, and business education, while also fostering a collaborative community that can adapt to the challenges and opportunities ahead.