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 market segment consists of smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is just three people, 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 access production expertise, programming know‑how, design insight, creative feedback, and also practical lessons on running a business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the business side stays crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now essentially extends the main Gamescom festival into a full‑week programme. Hammes explained that aligning the two events brings clear advantages. "The rationale for bringing us closer to Gamescom is compelling. We now have a powerful partner behind us, which simplifies things for attendees.
Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy. Now there is a single ticket portal that gives you access to everything from Monday through Friday – the entire Gamescom business week.
If you buy a ticket, you can move freely between Gamescom and Gamescom Dev without needing separate passes." This year’s edition features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers, 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers game. "We don’t aim to hit arbitrary attendance targets.
It’s always about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialised, and we want to reflect that in the programme rather than simply inflating the count of talks." A practical limitation for further expansion is the venue itself – the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the current footprint comfortably accommodates the schedule, Hammes admits that “there is limited room to grow.” Should the industry continue its rapid trajectory, the organisers may need to consider a larger site or a tighter integration with the main Gamescom grounds. "We’re not planning a massive expansion right now, because that would require a physical move closer to Gamescom, which is a possibility we’re keeping open. If the democratization of game development continues – more indie teams, more micro‑studios – we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone adequately," he said.
Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. "There is a strong sense of community behind the scenes. We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry is like a global circus – people travel from one conference to the next. It’s not about crushing other events; it’s about collective success. When all conferences thrive, the whole sector benefits.
Our friends at GDC are currently dealing with venue‑related challenges, and I hope their situation improves soon," he added. A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings give senior executives a private space – no press, no microphones, no recordings – to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly. Hammes stresses the importance of such a “safe space.” "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas.
When we opened the first summit, every participant raised a hand to admit they had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they’d heard bad news about their own company. The environment is tough right now, and leaders often feel compelled to project unwavering strength. We want to break that façade and allow honest dialogue about challenges and uncertainties." The speaker survey also revealed a split view on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of presenters 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 cultivate.
Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that technical know‑how alone won’t suffice. "You could argue we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it. My conclusion is that neither is true.
When you ask what skill truly matters, 27 % point to leadership. 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, set a vision, and inspire confidence," he explained. In summary, Gamescom Dev under Hammes’ stewardship is positioning itself as a comprehensive resource for the evolving game development ecosystem. By merging with Gamescom, streamlining ticketing, and offering specialised content – from hands‑on technical sessions to confidential leadership forums – the event aims to support both the creative and commercial facets of game production.
As smaller studios continue to proliferate and the industry grapples with AI, market volatility, and the need for strong leadership, Hammes believes Gamescom Dev will remain a pivotal platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and strategic guidance.