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 the most promising avenue for expansion in the current games 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 operation. "You can accomplish more with fewer hands, but the business side never disappears," he explains. He believes Gamescom Dev can serve as a one‑stop hub where indie creators can access everything they need—production techniques, programming expertise, creative direction, design insights, and crucially, guidance on running a sustainable business despite the rapid pace of technological change.
The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full week of dedicated industry programming. Hammes argues that aligning the two events brings significant strategic advantages. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which simplifies things for attendees," he says.
Previously, participants had to navigate two separate conferences, purchase tickets from different platforms, and deal with a fragmented schedule. Today, a single ticket grants access to the entire Gamescom business week, from Monday through Friday, allowing visitors to move seamlessly between the two experiences. This year’s lineup features an impressive 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured merely by numbers. "It’s not about hitting a target headcount; it’s about matching supply with demand and recognizing that the market is becoming increasingly specialized," he notes.
The growth of Gamescom Dev, however, is constrained by its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present program, Hammes acknowledges that there is "limited room to grow" and that continued industry expansion may eventually require a larger footprint or a closer physical integration with the main Gamescom grounds. Looking ahead, Hammes envisions a scenario where the democratization of game development—driven by smaller studios and accessible tools—could compel the event to seek additional space. "If the trend toward smaller, more agile teams continues, we’ll need more room to serve everyone," he says.
He also reflects on the origins of Devcom, which launched 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 prefers to view the two gatherings as complementary rather than competitive. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he remarks. "We’re separate entities, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry functions like a global circus where people travel from one conference to another. If all events thrive, the whole ecosystem benefits." Hammes also expresses empathy for GDC’s recent challenges, attributing them to external environmental factors beyond the conference’s control and wishing for a swift resolution. He stresses that collaboration, rather than rivalry, is the healthier path forward for the sector.
A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits—single‑day, invitation‑only gatherings where senior executives can speak candidly without the presence of press, microphones, or recordings. Hammes believes that providing a "safe space" for leaders to discuss the turbulent market conditions is essential. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explains. He recounts an opening moment at the summit where a show of hands revealed that every participant had delivered bad news to their company that year, underscoring the difficulty of maintaining a façade of stability in challenging times.
By fostering an environment where leaders can admit vulnerability, Hammes hopes to encourage honest dialogue and collective problem‑solving. The speaker survey also highlighted a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers anticipate 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 the data showing that 27 % of respondents view leadership as the most critical competency. "We recognize that change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological miracle to save us," he says.
"We need leaders who can guide us through the transition." In summary, Frederik Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are emerging as the engine of growth, the integration of Gamescom Dev with the larger Gamescom festival is streamlining access for participants, and the event’s evolution will likely hinge on its ability to accommodate a burgeoning indie ecosystem. At the same time, the emphasis on leadership over pure technical skill reflects a broader understanding that human guidance will be the decisive factor in navigating the next wave of innovation and disruption in gaming.