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 the most promising segment of today’s gaming market lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a three‑person team must still allocate someone to handle the commercial side of the business. He believes Gamescom Dev should serve as a one‑stop hub where indie creators can access everything they need—from production techniques and programming expertise to creative direction and design insight—while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable studio. "No matter how advanced the technology becomes, understanding the business remains crucial," he notes.
The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom experience into a full week of dedicated development programming. Hammes explains that aligning the two conferences under a single brand brings clear advantages. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that synergy simplifies things for attendees.
Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little interaction between them. Today everything is consolidated into one ticket platform, giving participants access to the entire Gamescom business week from Monday through Friday," he says. This year’s agenda features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers, 220 sessions spread across 17 stages, and a range of topics that reflect the evolving specialization of the industry.
Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers game. "It’s not about hitting a target attendance figure; it’s about matching supply with demand. We’re seeing a move toward more niche, specialized content," he explains. The venue for Gamescom Dev, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, is currently sufficient for the scale of the event, but Hammes acknowledges that physical space limits future expansion.
"We’re at capacity in the current hall, and if the industry continues its rapid growth, we may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue," he says. He adds that the democratization of game development—where smaller teams can produce high‑quality experiences—could eventually require more room to accommodate a broader array of participants. Gamescom Dev originated 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, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
Instead, he highlights a collaborative spirit within the global development community. "We’re separate organizations, each aiming to generate revenue, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry functions like a global circus where people travel from one conference to another.
Success for one event benefits the whole ecosystem," he remarks. He also expresses empathy for GDC’s current challenges, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for the conference.
A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev schedule is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures with a private space—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly. 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. When we opened the summit, every participant raised their hand to acknowledge having delivered bad news that year. It was a stark reminder of how challenging the climate is right now," he recounts.
He believes that fostering honest conversations helps leaders move beyond projecting an image of unshakeable stability and instead focus on navigating uncertainty together. The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of presenters anticipate 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 disparity as a sign that the sector may be over‑estimating AI’s impact while under‑preparing for it.
"The real priority, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership," he says. "People recognize that change is inevitable. They aren’t looking for a technological silver bullet; they’re seeking leaders who can guide teams through the transition." In summary, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a central gathering point for indie developers and industry veterans alike, offering a blend of technical workshops, creative sessions, and business education.
He underscores the growing relevance of small studios, the need for integrated business knowledge, and the importance of leadership in an era marked by rapid technological shifts and market volatility. As the event continues to evolve, its success will hinge on balancing expansion with the intimate, collaborative atmosphere that has become its hallmark.