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 significant growth opportunity in the video‑game market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes explains to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, marketing and all the other non‑creative tasks that keep the operation afloat.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can soak up production know‑how, programming expertise, creative guidance and design insights, while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology gets, the commercial side stays crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the well‑known Gamescom brand into a full‑week program. Hammes believes this alignment brings tangible advantages.
"The case for integrating more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he says. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which simplifies things for attendees. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems and little crossover. Now everything is consolidated under a single ticket portal, giving visitors access to the entire Gamescom business week—from Monday through Friday—without having to juggle multiple passes." This year’s edition features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers game. "We shouldn't chase arbitrary targets. It's always about matching supply with demand. We're seeing the market become more specialised, and the programme reflects that shift," he notes.
Despite its ambition, the show’s physical footprint is constrained by its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. Hammes acknowledges that while the space comfortably accommodates the present format, "there is limited room to grow". He warns that if the industry continues its rapid expansion, the conference may need to relocate closer to the main Gamescom grounds or secure a larger facility.
"Our current plan isn’t to balloon the event dramatically, because that would entail a major logistical overhaul, potentially moving us physically nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development—driven by smaller studios—keeps accelerating, we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone interested." 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 overlapping topics, Hammes does not view the two as direct rivals.
"There’s a genuine sense of community behind the scenes," he says. "We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the competition isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry is a global circus in the best sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas and building networks. If every event thrives, the whole ecosystem benefits." He also comments on the challenges currently facing GDC, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for the conference.
"Our colleagues at GDC are dealing with issues beyond their control, and I sincerely hope conditions improve for them. When all conferences succeed, the industry as a whole is stronger." A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only 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 safe spaces. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explains. "During the inaugural summit, we asked who had delivered bad news that year; every hand went up. When we asked who had received bad news, the same result.
The environment is undeniably tricky right now. Leaders are accustomed to projecting confidence and stability, but they also need a venue where they can be candid about challenges." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. 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 to cultivate.
Hammes interprets this disparity. "It might look like 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.
In other words, we recognise change is coming. We’re not looking for a technological silver bullet; we’re looking for people—leaders—who can guide teams through that change." 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 rising faster than the hype around any single technology.
Gamescom Dev aims to provide the knowledge, networking and mentorship required to navigate this evolving landscape, while also keeping an eye on the practical limits of its current venue and the broader health of the global conference community.