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 today’s most promising market segment consists of smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a three‑person team must still allocate resources to handle the commercial side of the business. He believes Gamescom Dev offers a one‑stop environment where creators can access a full spectrum of expertise—production, programming, design, creative direction, and, crucially, business management.
"Regardless of how advanced the technology becomes, understanding how to run a company stays vital," he says. The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extends the traditional Gamescom experience into a full‑week programme.
Hammes explains that aligning the two conferences under a single brand brings significant advantages: "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which simplifies things for attendees. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little integration. Now there’s a single ticket portal that grants access to everything from Monday through Friday, allowing participants to move seamlessly between Gamescom Dev and the main Gamescom exhibition." This year’s lineup features 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "It’s not about hitting arbitrary targets; it’s about matching supply with demand.
We’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization," he notes. However, the growth of Gamescom Dev is constrained by its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present scale, Hammes acknowledges that there is "limited room to expand". Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider relocating closer to the main Gamescom grounds to secure additional capacity. He adds, "We’re not planning a massive increase right now because that would require a more substantial logistical shift, possibly moving physically nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues—if smaller studios keep proliferating—we’ll inevitably need more room 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 (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. He highlights a strong sense of community behind the scenes, stating, "We’re separate companies, 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 conference to another.
Success for one event benefits the whole ecosystem." Hammes also comments on recent challenges faced by GDC, noting that external circumstances have created difficulties for the conference. He expresses hope that conditions improve and that all industry events will thrive, saying, "If everyone does well, it means the whole industry is healthy." A notable new feature at Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private space—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the current turbulence in the gaming market.
Hammes stresses the importance of such a "safe space" for candid dialogue. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explains.
He recounts a moment during the inaugural summit when a simple show of hands revealed that every participant had delivered bad news to their company that year, underscoring the difficulty leaders face in projecting confidence while navigating instability. 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.
Hammes interprets this discrepancy as neither an overestimation of AI’s impact nor an underpreparation for it. Instead, he points to leadership as the paramount competency, with 27 % of respondents naming it the most critical skill. "We recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We need leaders who can guide us through the transition," he says.
In summary, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a hub where small studios can thrive, where knowledge sharing spans technical and business realms, and where industry leaders can openly confront challenges. The event’s integration with Gamescom, its emphasis on specialized content, and the addition of confidential leadership forums all signal a commitment to supporting the evolving needs of today’s game developers, especially those operating with lean teams but ambitious visions.