Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the findings of the recent Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that independent, smaller‑scale studios now constitute the most significant growth potential within the video‑game sector. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, marketing, and the myriad administrative tasks that keep the operation afloat. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can absorb everything they need—production tactics, programming tricks, creative direction, design theory—and also pick up the know‑how required to run a sustainable business.
No matter how advanced the technology gets, the business side never disappears." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded as Gamescom Dev in August 2025, a change Hammes says effectively stretches the Gamescom experience into a full‑week affair. "Aligning more closely with Gamescom makes a lot of sense," he explained.
"We now have a powerful, well‑established partner on our side, which brings a host of practical benefits. For newcomers, the combined ticketing system is far easier to navigate.
Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticket types, two purchasing portals, and little cohesion between them. Now there is a single ticket shop that grants access to everything—from the Monday‑through‑Friday business week to the main Gamescom exhibition on the weekend." This edition of Gamescom Dev features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 distinct stages. Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be reduced to a numbers game.
"We don’t aim to hit arbitrary targets for speaker count or session volume. It’s always about balancing supply and demand. The market is becoming more specialized, and we want to reflect that nuance rather than simply scaling up for the sake of scale." One logistical constraint Hammes acknowledges is the size of the current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present program, it leaves little room for substantial expansion.
"If the industry continues on its current trajectory, we may eventually need to consider a larger footprint or a location even closer to the main Gamescom site," he said. "At the moment we are not planning a massive enlargement because that would entail a much larger logistical undertaking.
Yet, if the democratization of game development—where smaller studios gain more influence—continues, we will inevitably require additional capacity to serve a broader audience." Gamescom Dev traces its origins 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 shares a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. "There is a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he noted. "We are separate entities, each striving to be profitable, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry feels like a global circus—in a good way—where professionals travel from one conference to the next. It’s not about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together. When one conference faces challenges, such as the current issues GDC is experiencing due to external conditions, we hope they recover quickly because the health of the whole ecosystem matters." A fresh feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda this year is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can speak candidly about the turbulent market conditions. Hammes emphasized the importance of such a "safe space" for leaders to voice concerns and exchange ideas. "It isn’t just about listening; it’s about speaking up and sharing experiences. During the inaugural summit, we raised hands to see how many attendees had delivered bad news to their teams over the past year—every hand went up.
When we asked who had received bad news themselves, the same result. The environment is undeniably challenging right now. We want leaders to feel comfortable admitting vulnerability, because at senior levels there is often pressure to project unwavering confidence and stability." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence within the industry. 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.
Hammes interpreted this discrepancy as a sign that leadership, rather than technical expertise, will be the decisive factor in navigating upcoming changes. "You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he said. "In reality, the data shows that 27 % of respondents view leadership as the most critical skill. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We’re looking for people—leaders—who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in flux, where small studios are emerging as the engine of innovation, and where seasoned leaders must balance creative ambition with solid business fundamentals. Gamescom Dev aims to be the nexus where these forces converge, offering education, networking, and a platform for honest dialogue. As the event continues to evolve, its success will hinge not on sheer size, but on its ability to nurture the next generation of developers and the leaders who will steer them through an increasingly complex gaming landscape.