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 accomplish a great deal with a compact team, but the business side never disappears," Hammes explained to GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if you’re a three‑person studio, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, marketing and all the other non‑technical aspects. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access everything they need – production expertise, coding know‑how, creative direction, design insights – and also learn how to run a sustainable business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals remain crucial." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full‑week program. Hammes believes that aligning the two events creates a stronger, more cohesive experience for attendees. "The arguments for bringing the two conferences closer together are compelling," he said.
"We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which brings many practical benefits. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems and little interaction between them. Today it’s a single ticket shop: you buy one pass and you can move freely between Gamescom Dev sessions and the broader Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday." This year’s schedule features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 different stages. Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be measured solely by numbers.
"It’s not a numbers game. We don’t aim for arbitrary targets; it’s about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialized, and we want to reflect that specialization in our programming," he noted.
A practical limitation for the event’s expansion is the venue itself – the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current space comfortably accommodates the existing program, Hammes admits there is "limited room to grow". Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the conference may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger facility.
"We’re not planning a massive scale‑up right now because that would require a more substantial logistical effort, possibly relocating nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues – with more small studios entering the field – we’ll inevitably need more room to serve everyone," he explained. 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 (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he said. "We’re separate companies, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry is like a global circus – in a good way – with professionals traveling from one conference to the next. It’s not about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together." Hammes also expressed empathy for GDC’s recent challenges, noting that external factors beyond the organizers’ control have created difficulties for them. "I hope the situation improves for our colleagues at GDC. When everyone does well, the whole industry benefits," he added.
A brand‑new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the Leadership Summit series. These one‑day gatherings are intentionally designed as press‑free, microphone‑free, and recording‑free environments where senior executives can speak candidly about the turbulent state of the market. Hammes emphasized the need for a "safe space" where leaders can share concerns without the pressure to project unwavering confidence.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas. During the inaugural summit, every participant raised their hand when asked if they had delivered bad news that year – the room was full of leaders confronting tough realities. Providing a confidential forum helps them break the habit of always appearing stable and instead discuss genuine challenges." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative development for the industry 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 technical proficiency alone won’t drive success. "You could argue we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the truth lies elsewhere. The survey 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 need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." In summary, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a catalyst for the burgeoning indie scene, a platform where creators can blend creative ambition with solid business acumen, and a community that values collaboration over competition. By integrating the conference more tightly with Gamescom, expanding educational offerings like the Leadership Summits, and acknowledging the growing importance of small studios, the event aims to stay ahead of industry trends while fostering the leadership and resilience needed to navigate the evolving gaming landscape.