Frederik Hammes, who succeeded Stephan Reichart as the managing director of Gamescom Dev earlier this year, points to the latest Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that independent, smaller‑scale development studios now represent the most promising segment of the gaming market. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explained that while a compact team can accomplish a great deal, the commercial side of the operation never disappears. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and marketing," he said. "Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop shop where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative guidance, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business, because technology alone isn’t enough to succeed." The event, formerly known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the renowned Gamescom experience into a full‑week affair.
Hammes believes that aligning the two events under a single banner brings clear advantages. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which simplifies things for attendees," he noted.
"Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them. Today everything is consolidated into one ticket portal, allowing participants to attend both the business‑focused sessions during the week and the main Gamescom exhibition through Friday." This year’s programme is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 individual sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions that success shouldn’t be measured solely by numbers. "It isn’t a race to hit a particular count of talks or attendees," he remarked. "The market is becoming more specialised, and we must match supply with genuine demand rather than chasing arbitrary targets." One practical limitation for the event is the size of its venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the current space comfortably accommodates the schedule, Hammes admits there is "limited room to grow" within those walls. He suggests that if the gaming sector continues its rapid expansion, the conference may need to relocate closer to the main Gamescom grounds or secure a larger facility. "We’re not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a physical move nearer to Gamescom, which is a possibility we’re keeping under review," he explained. "If the trend toward smaller, more democratized studios continues, we’ll eventually need more room to serve that broader audience." 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 demographic and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. He emphasizes a spirit of collaboration and community behind the scenes. "We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat," he said. "The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge and networking.
If all events thrive, the whole ecosystem benefits. Currently GDC is facing some challenges due to external conditions, and we hope those issues improve soon for the sake of the whole community." A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. Hammes stresses the importance of offering a "safe space" where leaders can speak candidly about setbacks and uncertainties.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he observed. "When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to admit they had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they’d received bad news themselves.
The climate is tough, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. These summits let them break that façade and engage honestly." 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 the sector may be either overestimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it. He concludes, however, that the real priority lies elsewhere.
"Leadership emerged as the most critical skill, with 27 % of respondents naming it first," he said. "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 foster a culture that can adapt to new tools, including AI." In summary, Gamescom Dev under Hammes’ direction is positioning itself as a comprehensive hub for indie and mid‑size studios seeking both creative and commercial guidance. By merging with Gamescom, expanding its educational offerings, and creating confidential leadership forums, the conference aims to support the next wave of developers who can do more with fewer resources while still navigating the complex business realities of the gaming world.