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 and smaller development studios now represent the most significant growth opportunity in the global games market. In a candid interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explained that while tiny teams can punch above their weight creatively and technically, the inevitable business side of running a studio never disappears. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, marketing and all the other administrative tasks," he said.
"Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop shop where developers can soak up production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and at the same time learn how to steer the business side of things, because no matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals are still crucial." The event itself underwent a major rebranding in August 2025, when Devcom was renamed Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the renowned Gamescom brand into a full‑week industry summit. Hammes believes this integration brings substantial benefits. "Aligning more closely with Gamescom gives us a powerful partner and simplifies the experience for attendees," he noted.
"Previously we ran two separate conferences with distinct ticketing systems, which could be confusing. Now there is a single ticket portal, and participants can attend the full business week from Monday through Friday, moving seamlessly between Gamescom Dev sessions and the main Gamescom exhibition." This year’s program is impressive in scope, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "We don’t aim to hit arbitrary speaker or session counts; it’s about matching supply with demand and delivering specialised content that meets the evolving needs of the community," he said.
He observed a clear trend toward niche topics and deeper technical discussions, reflecting the industry's maturation. Despite the ambition, the physical venue—Koelnmesse’s Confex Center—poses a limitation. The space currently accommodates the event comfortably, but Hammes admits that “there is limited room to grow.” Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider either a larger hall or a tighter integration with the main Gamescom site to accommodate more exhibitors, workshops, and networking areas.
"We’re not planning a massive expansion right now, but if the democratization of game development continues—more small studios entering the market—we’ll need additional capacity 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 emphasizes a collaborative rather than competitive stance. "Both events are run by different organisations, and while everyone wants to be profitable, the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to the next, sharing ideas and building relationships. When one event thrives, it lifts the whole ecosystem," he said.
He also expressed empathy for GDC’s recent challenges, noting that external factors have created a tough operating environment for them, and he hopes the situation improves soon. A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These exclusive, invitation‑only gatherings give senior executives a private forum to discuss the sector’s most pressing issues without the presence of press, microphones, or recordings. Hammes stressed the importance of such “safe spaces,” especially given the current turbulence in the market.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging candid experiences," he remarked. "During the first summit, we asked how many attendees had delivered bad news that year; every hand went up.
When we asked how many had heard bad news about their own companies, the hands stayed raised. The environment is tough, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. We want to provide a setting where they can be honest about challenges 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 interpreted this disparity as a sign that the industry may be over‑estimating AI’s impact while under‑preparing for it. "The real takeaway is that leadership tops the list of essential skills, with 27 % of respondents naming it as the most important," he said. "This tells us that developers recognise change is coming, but they don’t expect technology alone to solve the challenges. They need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster a culture that can adapt to new tools and market shifts." In summary, Frederik Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a hub where small studios can thrive, where business education meets creative inspiration, and where industry leaders can confront the complexities of a rapidly evolving market together.
By consolidating tickets, expanding the schedule, and adding private leadership forums, the event aims to serve a broader spectrum of professionals—from solo indie creators to seasoned executives—while remaining mindful of venue constraints and the need for thoughtful growth. As the games industry continues to democratise and technology such as AI reshapes development pipelines, the emphasis on strong, adaptable leadership and collaborative community spaces will likely remain the cornerstone of future success.