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 constitute the most significant growth opportunity within the video‑game sector. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain unchanged," he explained to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio consists of just three people, 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 creators can access everything they need – from production techniques and programming expertise to creative direction and design insight – and also pick up practical knowledge about running a business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side stays crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was renamed Gamescom Dev in August 2025, a change that effectively extends the well‑known Gamescom brand into a full‑week affair. Hammes believes the rebranding strengthens the link between the two conferences and offers tangible benefits for attendees.
"The case for aligning more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he said. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which brings a host of advantages. Practically speaking, it simplifies things for people who might not be familiar with the separate events.
Previously we ran two distinct conferences with separate ticketing systems and little integration. Now there is a single ticket portal that gives you access to everything you need. The entire Gamescom business week runs from Monday through Friday, and anyone who purchases a ticket can also wander over to the main Gamescom exhibition during that time." This year’s programme features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game.
"We shouldn’t focus on hitting arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals," he noted. "It’s always about matching supply with demand, and we’re seeing the market become more specialised." He also acknowledges that the current venue – the Confex Center at Koelnmesse – imposes limits on how much the show can expand. While the space comfortably accommodates the present scale, there is "limited room to grow," and future growth may require a move closer to the main Gamescom site. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would entail a larger logistical effort, possibly relocating nearer to Gamescom, which is an option we’re keeping open," Hammes said.
"If the trend toward smaller studios and the democratisation of game development continues, we’ll eventually need more capacity to serve everyone." Gamescom Dev traces its origins 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 targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
He emphasises a sense of community that exists behind the scenes. "We’re still separate organisations," he explained. "Everyone wants to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t as cut‑throat as one might assume.
The industry is like a global circus in a positive sense – professionals travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge rather than trying to eliminate each other. When all conferences thrive, the whole sector benefits.
Our friends at GDC are currently facing challenges due to external circumstances, and we hope their situation improves soon." A fresh feature on this year’s agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings give senior executives a private space to converse without media presence, microphones, or recordings. Hammes stresses the importance of such a "safe space" given the turbulent market conditions.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he said. "I was there when the concept was born.
We did a quick poll: everyone raised their hand to admit they had delivered bad news within the past year, and the same hands stayed up when asked if they had received bad news themselves. The environment is undeniably tricky right now. Leaders often feel compelled to project confidence and stability, but we need a setting where they can be honest about the challenges they face." 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. "How do we interpret that? Either we overestimate AI’s impact or we under‑prepare for it," Hammes reflected. "My conclusion is that neither is entirely correct.
When you ask what skill truly matters most, 27 % of respondents point to leadership. That tells us we recognise change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We’re looking for people – leaders who can guide us through the transition and show us how to adapt." In summary, Hammes envisions a future where Gamescom Dev continues to serve as a comprehensive resource for indie creators and larger studios alike, fostering both technical expertise and business acumen. By maintaining a close partnership with Gamescom, expanding thoughtfully, and providing private forums for industry leaders, the event aims to support the evolving needs of a market increasingly driven by small, agile teams.