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 the most promising segment of the current games market lies with smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes explains to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the day‑to‑day administrative tasks. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insight, and also learn the fundamentals of running a business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business acumen remains 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 experience. Hammes believes the rebranding creates a stronger link between the two gatherings.
"We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that brings many practical advantages. Previously, attendees had to navigate two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and two distinct purchasing processes, which made the overall experience fragmented. Today everything is consolidated into a single ticket shop.
If you buy a pass, you can attend the Gamescom Dev programme from Monday through Friday and then seamlessly transition into the main Gamescom events later in the week." This year’s edition features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers‑driven competition. "It shouldn't be about hitting a target count of speakers or sessions. The market is becoming more specialized, and the real measure is whether the content matches the demand of the audience." A practical limitation for Gamescom Dev is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present programme, Hammes notes that there is "limited room to grow" within those walls. Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue. "We aren't planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a more substantial logistical effort, possibly including a relocation nearer to Gamescom.
If the democratization of game development continues—if small studios keep proliferating—we’ll need additional capacity to serve everyone." Devcom originally launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
He emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the industry: "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes. We’re separate companies, each aiming to be profitable, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus where people travel from one conference to another.
Success for one event often lifts the whole ecosystem." Hammes also expressed empathy for GDC’s recent challenges, noting that external factors beyond the organisers’ control have created difficulties. He hopes the situation improves for all parties, reinforcing the idea that a healthy, thriving conference circuit benefits the entire gaming sector. A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings give senior executives a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent conditions currently affecting the market. Hammes stresses the importance of such "safe spaces": "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas. When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to acknowledge having delivered bad news during the year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they had received bad news themselves.
The environment is undeniably tricky right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. Providing a confidential setting helps them 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 to cultivate.
Hammes interprets this gap as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t drive success. "You might think we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the data suggests something else. The most frequently cited essential skill is leadership—27 % of respondents chose it as the most important.
That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and inspire confidence." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are emerging as the engine of growth, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and leadership—more than any single technology—will determine how the sector navigates upcoming challenges.
Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a comprehensive platform that blends creative, technical, and business education, while also fostering the community and dialogue essential for sustained innovation.