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 represent the most significant growth potential within the video‑game sector. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explained to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is 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 developers can access everything they need – production insights, programming expertise, creative direction, design guidance – and also learn how to run a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology gets, the commercial side stays crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded as Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the reach of the flagship Gamescom exhibition into a full‑week program. Hammes believes the name change strengthens the link between the two gatherings and simplifies the attendee experience. "There are compelling reasons to bring the two events closer together," he said.
"We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which brings many practical benefits. Previously we operated two separate conferences with distinct ticketing systems and little crossover. Today everything is consolidated under a single ticket shop.
If you purchase a pass, you gain access to the entire Gamescom business week—from Monday through Friday—so you can move seamlessly between the two events." This year’s lineup features 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be measured purely by numbers. "It shouldn't be a numbers game. We don't aim for arbitrary attendance targets; it's about matching supply with demand.
The market is becoming more specialized, and we want to reflect that in the program," he noted. A limiting factor for the conference’s expansion is the physical space of the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the venue currently accommodates the event, Hammes acknowledges that there is "limited room to grow" and that continued industry expansion may eventually require a move closer to the main Gamescom grounds. "Our current plan is not to dramatically increase the size of the event because that would entail a larger logistical effort, possibly relocating nearer to Gamescom.
If the democratization of game development continues—if small studios keep proliferating—we’ll need more space 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 stresses that the two conferences coexist rather than compete, fostering a sense of community behind the scenes. "We’re separate organizations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry is like a global circus—in a positive sense—where professionals travel from one event to another. It’s not about eliminating rivals; if all conferences thrive, the whole sector benefits.
Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges due to external circumstances, and we hope the situation improves for them as well," he said. A fresh addition to this year’s schedule is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings give senior executives a private forum—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," Hammes said. "When we opened the first summit, everyone raised their hand to admit they had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed up when asked if they’d heard bad news about their own companies.
The environment is undeniably tricky right now. We want to provide a safe space where leaders can be vulnerable, because at senior levels there’s often pressure to project confidence and stability." 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 it’s actually neither. When you ask what skill truly matters most, 27 % of respondents point to leadership. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet—we’re looking for people who can guide us through it. We need leaders who can chart the course and help the industry adapt." In summary, Hammes envisions a future where Gamescom Dev continues to serve as a comprehensive resource for developers of all sizes, especially the burgeoning small studios that are reshaping the market.
By maintaining a close relationship with Gamescom, expanding educational offerings like the Leadership Summits, and emphasizing the importance of strong leadership over pure technical prowess, the conference aims to stay relevant amid rapid technological shifts and evolving business models. The challenge ahead will be balancing growth with the physical constraints of its venue, while ensuring that the event remains a valuable, inclusive hub for the global game‑development community.