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 independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth opportunity in the video‑game market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explained to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the myriad administrative tasks that keep the operation afloat.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, artistic direction, design insight, and also pick up practical lessons on running a business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals are still crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the overall Gamescom experience into a full‑week affair. Hammes believes the name change strengthens the connection between the two gatherings.
"The case for aligning more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he said. "We now have a powerful, well‑established partner, which brings a host of advantages.
From a practical standpoint, it simplifies things for attendees who may not be familiar with the separate conferences. Previously we ran two distinct events with separate ticketing systems and little crossover.
Now everything is consolidated into a single ticket portal. When you purchase a pass, you gain access to the entire Gamescom business week—from Monday through Friday—and you can freely move between Gamescom Dev and the main Gamescom exhibition." This year’s program features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game. "We shouldn't be fixated on hitting arbitrary attendance targets," he noted.
"It's really about matching supply with demand. We're seeing the market become more specialized, and the content reflects that shift." One logistical challenge Hammes acknowledges is the capacity of the current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present schedule, there is limited room for expansion. "At the moment we’re fitting within the existing footprint, but there isn’t a lot of headroom for growth," he said. "If the industry continues on its current trajectory, we may eventually need to look at moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger facility.
The democratization of game development—more small teams creating high‑quality experiences—could eventually require more space to serve everyone adequately." 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 targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
Instead, he emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the industry. "We’re separate organizations, each with our own goals, but there’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he remarked.
"Everyone wants to be profitable, but the environment isn’t as cut‑throat as some might think. The industry is like a global circus—in a positive sense—where professionals travel from one conference to another. It’s not about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together. Our friends at GDC are currently dealing with some venue‑related challenges, which are beyond their control.
I hope those issues improve soon, because when one conference does well, it lifts the whole ecosystem." A fresh addition to the schedule this year is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings give senior executives a private forum—free of press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions facing the sector. "The purpose isn’t just to listen; it’s to speak openly and exchange ideas," Hammes explained. "When we opened the first summit, we raised our hands to see how many attendees had delivered bad news in the past year, and every hand went up.
We asked the same question about hearing bad news from their own companies, and again, everyone responded affirmatively. The climate is undeniably challenging right now. Leaders often feel the need to project confidence and stability, which can make honest conversation difficult.
By providing a safe space, we encourage them to share concerns 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. "What does that tell us?
Either we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or we’re under‑preparing for it," Hammes said. "In reality, the most critical capability highlighted by the data is leadership—27 % of respondents named it the most important skill.
That suggests we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a single technology to solve everything. We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster adaptability." Overall, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a catalyst for small studios to scale their ambitions while staying grounded in solid business practices.
By integrating educational sessions, networking opportunities, and leadership forums under one roof, the event aims to equip creators of all sizes with the knowledge and connections needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive and technologically evolving market.