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 market segment belongs to smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet the business side remains essential," he explains to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the day‑to‑day administration. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can absorb production techniques, programming insights, artistic direction, and design theory while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business acumen stays crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively stretches the traditional Gamescom schedule into a full week of industry‑focused programming. Hammes believes that aligning the two events offers clear strategic benefits. "Our partnership with Gamescom is now stronger than ever, and that brings a host of practical advantages. Previously attendees had to juggle two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and two distinct purchasing processes, which created a fragmented experience.
Today there is a single ticket portal that grants access to everything—from the developer‑centric sessions to the broader Gamescom exhibition. It’s truly a unified business week, running Monday through Friday, and anyone who buys a ticket can seamlessly move between the two environments." This year’s lineup features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages, but Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game.
"We don’t chase arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals. It’s always about matching supply with demand, and we’re seeing the market become increasingly specialized.
Developers are looking for depth rather than breadth, and we aim to cater to those nuanced needs." Despite the ambitious programming, the physical footprint of Gamescom Dev is constrained by 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.” He notes that if the industry continues on its rapid trajectory, the conference may eventually need to expand or relocate closer to the main Gamescom site to meet demand. "Our immediate plan isn’t to balloon the event dramatically, because that would require a more extensive logistical overhaul, possibly even a move to a larger facility adjacent to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues—if more indie teams and micro‑studios emerge—we’ll need additional capacity to serve that broader community." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe, which had previously been the primary European gathering for game developers.
While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) shares a similar audience and agenda, Hammes prefers to view the relationship as complementary rather than competitive. "There’s a genuine sense of community behind the scenes. We’re separate organizations, each with our own business goals, but the industry isn’t a zero‑sum game.
When one conference thrives, it lifts the entire ecosystem. Right now GDC is navigating some challenges related to its venue and local environment, and we hope those issues resolve quickly. A healthy, thriving GDC benefits everyone, including us." A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev program is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private environment—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market.
Hammes emphasizes the importance of such “safe spaces.” "It’s less about listening and more about speaking openly. In our inaugural summit, we asked participants to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news to their teams this year—every hand went up. When we asked who had received bad news, the same result occurred.
The industry is navigating a tricky period, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. By offering a confidential forum, we enable honest dialogue about setbacks, strategies, and the path forward." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence.
While 47 % of presenters believe AI will be the most transformative development 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 a different conclusion. The most frequently cited critical skill—at 27 %—is leadership.
That tells us the industry recognizes an upcoming wave of change and is looking for people who can guide teams through it, not just technologists who can tinker with new tools. In other words, we need leaders who can translate technological possibilities into coherent strategies and help their organizations adapt responsibly." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining influence, conferences are consolidating for greater accessibility, and the need for strong, empathetic leadership is becoming more pronounced than ever. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its role as a central hub for knowledge sharing, networking, and business education will likely become even more vital for developers of all sizes navigating the complex, fast‑moving gaming landscape.