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 development houses now represent the most significant growth opportunity within the broader games market. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that while a tiny team can punch above its weight in terms of creative output and technical execution, the need for solid business management does not disappear. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. "Even if you’re a three‑person studio, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, marketing, and the myriad administrative tasks that keep the company afloat.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access production expertise, coding know‑how, creative direction, design insight, and, equally important, guidance on running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the fundamentals of running a company stay crucial." The event itself underwent a major rebranding in August 2025 when Devcom adopted the Gamescom Dev name, effectively extending the renowned Gamescom brand into a full‑week business conference. Hammes believes that aligning the two events more closely offers clear advantages for attendees and partners alike.
"The arguments for tighter integration with Gamescom are compelling," he says. "We now have a powerful, well‑established partner, and that brings many practical benefits. Previously, we operated two separate conferences with distinct ticketing systems and limited cross‑promotion. Now everything is consolidated under a single ticketing platform.
If you purchase a pass, you gain access to the entire Gamescom business week—from Monday through Friday—and you can seamlessly move between the two events without juggling separate registrations." This year’s programme is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game.
"We shouldn’t chase arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals," he notes. "It’s always about matching supply with demand.
We’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization, with niche topics attracting highly engaged audiences." Despite the event’s growth, Hammes acknowledges that the current venue—the Confex Center at Koelnmesse—places a ceiling on further expansion. "The space works for us now, but there’s limited room to scale up," he admits. "If the industry continues its rapid trajectory, we may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue.
The long‑term plan isn’t to balloon the event indiscriminately; instead, we’re watching how the democratization of game development evolves. If more small studios emerge, we’ll need additional capacity to serve them effectively." Gamescom Dev’s origins trace back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) naturally competes for similar audiences and topics, Hammes stresses that the relationship is more collaborative than adversarial.
"There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he says. "We’re separate entities, each aiming to generate revenue, but the competition isn’t cut‑throat. The industry functions like a global circus—people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas and building networks. If all conferences thrive, the whole ecosystem benefits.
Right now, GDC is facing some logistical challenges due to external factors, and we hope those issues resolve soon. Ultimately, we all want the industry to prosper." A noteworthy addition to this year’s schedule is the introduction of Leadership Summits—intimate, one‑day gatherings where senior executives can converse without the presence of press, microphones, or recordings. Hammes argues that providing a “safe space” for candid dialogue is essential given the current turbulence in the market.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives," he explains. "During the inaugural summit, we asked participants to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news to their teams this year—all hands went up. When we asked who had personally received bad news, the same result occurred. The environment is undeniably challenging, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability.
These summits allow them to lower that guard, share struggles, and collectively explore 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.
Hammes interprets this discrepancy as a sign that leadership, not just technical proficiency, will be the decisive factor. "Some might say we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he remarks.
"In reality, the most critical skill isn’t a specific technology but effective leadership. About 27 % of respondents identified leadership as the paramount skill. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need people who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and inspire confidence." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: small studios are poised to drive the next wave of innovation, yet they must navigate the same business complexities as larger firms. Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a consolidated platform where creators can learn everything from code optimization to fiscal management, and by fostering environments—like the Leadership Summits—where honest conversation can spark collective resilience. As the event contends with venue limitations and the broader market grapples with AI’s promise and perils, the emphasis on strong, adaptable leadership emerges as the common thread tying together the future of game development.