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 opportunity within the video‑game market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle the administrative side.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access everything they need—production expertise, programming know‑how, creative guidance, design insight, and also practical lessons on running a business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the business side stays crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now essentially extends the main Gamescom festival into a full‑week programme. Hammes explains that the rebranding was intended to bring the two gatherings closer together, creating a seamless experience for attendees. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that brings many advantages.
Practically speaking, it simplifies things for people who may not be familiar with the separate conferences. Previously there were two ticketing systems, two sets of passes, and little connection between the events.
Today there is a single ticket shop that gives you access to everything from Monday through Friday. If you purchase a ticket, you can also wander over to Gamescom later in the week." This year’s schedule is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions that success isn’t measured purely by numbers. "It shouldn't be a numbers game.
We don't aim for arbitrary targets; it's always about supply and demand. The market is becoming more specialised, and we want to reflect that," he said. One practical limitation for the conference is its venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the current space comfortably accommodates the event, Hammes notes that there is "limited room to grow". Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider relocating or physically integrating the conference more closely with Gamescom. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would require a bigger logistical effort, possibly moving nearer to Gamescom.
If the democratisation of game development continues—more small studios entering the field—we’ll need more space to serve everyone." Gamescom Dev traces its roots 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 emphasises that he doesn’t view it as a competitor. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he said.
"We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to the next. It isn’t about wiping out other events; when everyone succeeds, the whole sector thrives." He also expressed empathy for GDC’s current challenges, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for them. "I hope conditions improve for them, because a healthy GDC benefits the entire ecosystem," Hammes added.
A fresh addition to this year’s agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings give top executives a private forum—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions. Hammes believes such a "safe space" is vital for candid conversation.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas. When we opened the summit, every hand went up for ‘delivered bad news this year’ and stayed up for ‘heard bad news at my company.’ The climate is tough right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. We want to provide a venue where they can be honest about the challenges they face." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers think AI will be the most transformative development over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill to develop.
Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that the industry may be over‑estimating AI’s impact while under‑preparing for it. "My conclusion is that it’s neither—we simply need leadership. 27 % of respondents named leadership as the most important skill. That tells us we recognise change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need people who can guide teams through uncertainty." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in flux: small studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is consolidating under the Gamescom brand, and leaders are seeking safe venues to navigate a complex, AI‑influenced future. The emphasis remains on nurturing talent, fostering community, and ensuring that business fundamentals stay front‑and‑center even as creative and technical possibilities expand.