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 potential within the gaming market. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while a compact team can punch above its weight creatively and technically, the need to manage the business side of development never disappears. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he says. "Even if you’re just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, marketing, and all the other administrative duties that keep a studio afloat.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop shop where developers can absorb everything they need—from production techniques and coding tricks to creative direction and design theory—while also learning how to run a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology gets, solid business fundamentals are still crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the famous Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience.
Hammes believes this integration brings tangible benefits for attendees and partners alike. "There are strong arguments for bringing Gamescom Dev closer to the main Gamescom event," he notes. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which opens up many practical advantages.
Previously, we ran two separate conferences with distinct ticketing systems, which could be confusing for newcomers. Today, it’s a single ticket portal that grants access to everything—from the Monday‑through‑Friday business week to the main Gamescom exhibition on the weekend. This streamlined approach makes it easier for people to plan their visit and get the most out of both events." The 2026 edition of Gamescom Dev features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering insights across 220 sessions spread over 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions that success isn’t measured purely by numbers.
"It shouldn’t be a numbers game," he asserts. "We’re not chasing arbitrary attendance targets.
It’s always about matching supply with demand and recognizing that the market is becoming increasingly specialized. Our focus is on quality, relevance, and the depth of content rather than sheer volume." A practical limitation for the event’s expansion is the physical space of the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the venue currently accommodates the schedule, Hammes acknowledges that there is "limited room to grow" and that continued industry expansion may eventually require a larger or more integrated location. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive increase in size because that would mean a more complex move closer to the main Gamescom site," he explains. "If the democratization of game development continues—if small studios keep proliferating—we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone adequately. For now, we’re balancing growth with logistical feasibility." Gamescom Dev traces its roots back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe.
Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience, Hammes emphasizes that the two events coexist rather than compete. "We’re distinct organizations," he says.
"Everyone wants to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry feels like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas and building community. It’s not about eliminating rivals; it’s about everyone thriving together. Right now, GDC is facing some challenges due to external conditions, and we hope those issues improve.
A healthy ecosystem benefits all of us." A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives with a private setting—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can discuss the turbulent state of the market candidly.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging views," Hammes explains. "During the inaugural summit, we asked participants to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news that year, and every hand went up. When we asked who had heard bad news about their own company, the same result. The environment is undeniably tough right now.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence, but these summits give them a safe space to be honest, to share concerns, and to seek collective solutions." The speaker survey also reveals 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 developers need to acquire. "How do we interpret that?
It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes reflects. "In reality, the data suggests the most critical competency isn’t technical at all—it’s leadership. About 27 % of respondents identified leadership as the key skill. That tells us the industry recognizes that change is inevitable, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need people who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and inspire confidence. In short, we’re looking for leaders who can show us the way forward, not just coders who can implement the next AI tool." Overall, Hammes’s outlook paints a picture of an industry in transition: small studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and the emphasis is shifting from pure tech prowess to the human qualities that steer companies through rapid change.
As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its role as a hub for both practical knowledge and strategic leadership is set to become even more vital for the global gaming community.