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 opportunity in the video‑game sector lies with smaller development houses. "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 studio, someone still has to handle the administrative side. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production know‑how, programming expertise, development best practices, creative direction, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial aspect stays crucial." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively stretches the entire Gamescom week. Hammes believes that aligning the two conferences brings considerable benefits. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that partnership offers many practical advantages.
For attendees who may not be familiar with the separate events, the new format simplifies everything. Previously there were two distinct conferences, two ticketing systems, and little connection between them.
Now there’s a single ticket portal that grants access to everything you need. The Gamescom business week runs from Monday to Friday, and anyone who purchases a ticket can also wander over to the main Gamescom exhibition until Friday." This edition features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions that success shouldn’t be measured solely by numbers.
"It’s not a numbers game. We don’t need to hit arbitrary targets. It’s always about supply and demand, and we’re seeing the market become more specialised." A limitation of the current format is the venue itself – the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present scale of Gamescom Dev, Hammes acknowledges that “there is limited room to grow.” Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the event may need to either enlarge its footprint or move even closer to the main Gamescom site.
"We’re not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a more substantial physical integration with Gamescom, which is a possibility for the future. If the trend toward smaller studios and the democratisation of game creation continues, we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone interested." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left when GDC Europe ceased operations. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a rival.
He stresses the sense of community that exists behind the scenes of both events. "We’re still separate organisations. Everyone wants to make money, but it’s not as cut‑throat as some might think.
The industry is like a global circus in a positive sense – people travel from one conference to another. It isn’t about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together. When all conferences succeed, the whole sector benefits.
Our friends at GDC are currently facing challenges due to their operating environment, and we hope those issues improve soon." A fresh addition to this year’s programme is the Leadership Summits – single‑day gatherings where senior figures in the gaming world can speak candidly without press, microphones, or recordings. Hammes believes providing a "safe space" for industry leaders to discuss the turbulent market conditions is essential.
"It’s not just about listening; it’s about speaking up and exchanging ideas. When we opened the first summit, we asked how many attendees had delivered bad news that year – every hand went up. We then asked how many had received bad news – again, every hand stayed raised. The environment is undeniably tricky right now.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability, but we want a room where they can be honest about the challenges they face." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion 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 to develop.
Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t carry the sector forward. "You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the real takeaway is that leadership tops the list of essential skills, with 27 % of respondents naming it as the most important. 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 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, adaptable leadership is growing louder than ever. Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a comprehensive platform where creators can learn both the craft of game development and the business acumen required to turn their visions into sustainable enterprises.
As the market continues to democratise and new technologies reshape production pipelines, the emphasis on human leadership and community collaboration will likely remain the cornerstone of success.