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 evidence that independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most promising segment of the video‑game market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explained to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle the commercial side of things.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, development processes, creative input, design insights and, equally important, guidance on running a business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals are still 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 affair. Hammes believes that aligning the two events brings clear advantages. "The case for bringing the two conferences closer together is compelling," he said.
"We now have a strong, high‑profile partner in Gamescom, and that opens up many practical benefits. For attendees who may be unfamiliar with the separate formats, it simplifies things enormously. Previously there were two distinct conferences, two ticket types, two purchasing systems, and very little integration.
Today there is a single ticketing portal that gives you access to everything you need. The Gamescom business week runs from Monday to Friday, and anyone who buys a ticket can also wander over to the main Gamescom exhibition until Friday." This year’s program features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be measured solely by numbers. "It shouldn't be a numbers game," he remarked. "We don't have to hit arbitrary targets.
It's always about supply and demand. We’re seeing the market become more specialised, and that shapes how we curate the agenda." He also acknowledges that the venue – the Confex Center at Koelnmesse – imposes a ceiling on growth. While the current layout accommodates the event, there is "limited room to expand".
Should the industry continue its rapid trajectory, the conference may need to move closer to the main Gamescom site or even seek a larger facility. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would require a more physical proximity to Gamescom, which is a possibility we’re keeping open," Hammes said.
"If the democratisation of game development continues – with more small studios entering the scene – we will eventually need more space to serve everyone effectively." Devcom originally launched in 2017 to fill the void left when GDC Europe discontinued its European edition. 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. Instead, he emphasises a collaborative spirit within the industry.
"We’re separate organisations," he noted. "Everyone wants to make money, but the environment isn’t as cut‑throat as some might think.
The industry is like a global circus in a positive sense – people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas and experiences. It’s not about wiping out other events to become the sole platform. When all conferences thrive, the whole sector benefits.
Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges beyond their control due to the broader environment, and I sincerely hope their situation improves." A fresh feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings give senior executives a private space to converse without press, 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 views," he said.
"I was present when we first introduced the summits. We asked the room how many had to deliver bad news that year, and every hand went up. When we asked how many had received bad news about their own companies, the hands stayed raised.
The environment is undeniably tricky right now. We want leaders to feel comfortable opening up, because at senior levels there’s often pressure to project confidence and stability, even when the reality is more complex." The speaker survey also reveals 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 to cultivate.
"How do we interpret that? It could mean we over‑estimate AI’s impact or we’re under‑preparing for it," Hammes reflected. "My conclusion is that neither is entirely accurate.
When you ask what skill truly matters, 27 % point to leadership as the most critical. 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, who can chart a course and help people adapt." In summary, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a comprehensive resource for indie creators and larger studios alike, offering technical insight, creative inspiration, and essential business education. By keeping the event tightly integrated with Gamescom, simplifying ticketing, and fostering a collaborative atmosphere, the conference aims to support the burgeoning community of small developers who, according to Hammes, hold the key to the industry’s next wave of growth.