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 the most promising growth avenue in today’s gaming market lies with smaller development studios. Hammes explains that while compact teams can punch above their weight creatively and technically, the necessity of handling the business side of operations does not disappear simply because the headcount is low.
"You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if you’re a three‑person studio, someone still has to manage 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 production expertise, coding know‑how, creative guidance, design insight, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side stays crucial." The event, originally launched as Devcom in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe, was rebranded as Gamescom Dev in August 2025.
Hammes says the new name reflects a strategic decision to extend the reach of Gamescom itself into a full‑week business program. "The rationale for aligning more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he said. "We now have a strong, well‑established partner, which brings a host of practical advantages.
For attendees, the experience is simpler: before we had two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little integration. Now everything is consolidated under a single ticket shop, and participants can move freely between the Dev program and the main Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday.
It’s truly a Gamescom business week." This year’s schedule is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game. "It isn’t about hitting arbitrary speaker or session counts. The market is becoming more specialized, and the right mix of content matters more than sheer volume," he noted.
One logistical challenge Hammes acknowledges is the physical limitation of the current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present program, there is "limited room to grow" if the industry continues its rapid expansion. He hints that future editions may need to move even closer to the main Gamescom site or consider a larger venue to meet the demand from an increasingly democratized development landscape, where indie and micro‑studios are proliferating. "If the trend toward smaller, more agile studios continues, we’ll need more room to serve everyone," he said.
Hammes also addressed the relationship between Gamescom Dev and the San‑Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC). Although both conferences target similar audiences and discuss overlapping topics, Hammes emphasizes a collaborative rather than competitive stance.
"We’re separate entities, each with its own community. The industry isn’t a zero‑sum game; when one event thrives, the whole ecosystem benefits. Right now GDC is facing some venue‑related challenges, and we hope those issues resolve quickly.
In the end, a healthy, thriving conference circuit is good for all of us." A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the Leadership Summit series. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures a private environment—free of press, microphones, and recordings—to speak candidly about the turbulent market conditions. Hammes stresses the importance of such "safe spaces" for leaders to share concerns and strategies without the pressure to project unwavering confidence. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explained.
"During the inaugural summit, every participant raised their hand when asked if they had delivered bad news that year. It highlighted how challenging the current climate is and why leaders need a forum where they can be honest about difficulties and seek collective solutions." 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 interprets this disparity as a sign that technical expertise alone will not drive success. "The most critical skill, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership," he said. "This suggests that the industry recognizes change is imminent, but rather than banking on technology alone, we’re looking for people who can guide teams through uncertainty.
Effective leaders will help navigate AI’s impact, market shifts, and evolving consumer expectations." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of a gaming ecosystem that is increasingly fragmented into smaller, highly creative studios that still require robust business acumen. Gamescom Dev aims to serve as a comprehensive resource, offering knowledge across production, coding, design, and entrepreneurship, all under one roof. The event’s integration with the broader Gamescom week simplifies attendance and enhances networking opportunities, while the addition of Leadership Summits underscores a commitment to fostering open dialogue among senior executives. As the industry grapples with AI, market volatility, and the rise of indie development, Hammes believes that strong leadership—combined with a supportive community—will be the decisive factor in shaping the future of games.