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 the greatest potential for growth in today’s gaming landscape lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that while a compact team can punch above its weight creatively and technically, the need for solid business management does not disappear. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. "Even if you’re a three‑person studio, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, and marketing.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, design insight, and artistic input, while also learning how to run a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side stays vital." The event itself underwent a significant rebrand in August 2025, when Devcom was renamed Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the renowned Gamescom brand into a full‑week business program. Hammes believes this alignment brings strategic advantages.
"The case for integrating more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he says. "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 between them. Now everything is consolidated under a single ticket shop.
Participants can purchase one pass and attend the entire Gamescom business week—from Monday through Friday—while also moving freely into the main Gamescom exhibition." This year’s schedule is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured solely by numbers.
"It’s not a numbers game," he notes. "We don’t set arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals. The market is becoming more specialized, and the right balance of supply and demand is what matters." One logistical constraint Hammes acknowledges is the venue.
The Confex Center at Koelnmesse currently accommodates Gamescom Dev, but its capacity leaves little room for substantial expansion. He suggests that if the industry’s growth trajectory continues, the event may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger facility. "At present we’re not planning a massive scale‑up because that would require a physical shift nearer to Gamescom, which is a possibility we’re keeping under review," he says.
"If the democratization of game development continues—more indie and micro studios entering the field—we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone effectively." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he highlights a collaborative spirit within the industry.
"We’re separate organizations, each with our own goals, but the overall environment is cooperative rather than cut‑throat," he observes. "The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge and networking.
Success for one event often translates into health for the whole ecosystem." He also comments on the challenges currently facing GDC, noting that external factors have created difficulties for the conference, and expresses hope for improvement across the board. A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives a private setting—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," Hammes explains. "During the first summit, we raised hands to see how many leaders had delivered bad news in the past year—every hand went up.
When we asked how many had received bad news about their own companies, the same result. The environment is undeniably tough right now. Leaders often feel pressured to project confidence, but these summits give them a safe space to be candid about challenges and uncertainties." The speaker survey also revealed 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 reconcile that? It could mean we’re either overestimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes says. "My conclusion is that neither is entirely correct. When you ask what skill truly matters most, leadership tops the list at 27 %.
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, set strategic direction, and foster adaptability." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are poised to capture significant market share, the Gamescom Dev platform is evolving to better serve a diverse community, and leadership—more than any specific technology—will be the decisive factor in navigating the future of gaming.
The event’s growth may be bounded by its current venue, but the strategic partnership with Gamescom and the introduction of focused leadership forums suggest a roadmap that balances expansion with quality, ensuring that developers of all sizes have the resources and knowledge they need to thrive.