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 today’s most promising opportunity in the games market lies with smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, and the day‑to‑day administrative work.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can tap into production expertise, programming know‑how, artistic direction, design insight, and also pick up the fundamentals of running a business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side stays crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, a change Hammes says effectively stretches the Gamescom experience into a full week of focused industry activity. "Linking the two events makes a lot of sense," he explained. "We now have a strong, high‑profile partner in Gamescom, which brings many practical advantages.
Previously attendees had to navigate two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and two distinct purchase processes, with very little overlap. Now there’s a single ticket portal that gives you access to everything—from the business‑focused sessions on Monday through Friday to the main Gamescom exhibition later in the week.
It’s a seamless, integrated experience for anyone who wants to be part of both worlds." This year’s program features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Hammes cautions, however, that success shouldn’t be measured purely by numbers. "It’s not a numbers game.
We’re not chasing arbitrary attendance targets. It’s about matching supply with demand and recognizing that the market is becoming more specialized. The quality of content and relevance to our audience matter far more than sheer volume." One logistical challenge Hammes acknowledges is the physical limitation of the current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present schedule, there is "limited room to grow" if the event continues to expand.
He suggests that, should the industry’s growth trajectory stay on its current course, Gamescom Dev may need to consider a larger venue or a closer physical integration with the main Gamescom fair. "We’re not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a more substantial move closer to Gamescom, which is an option we’re keeping on the table.
If the democratization of game development continues—if more indie and micro‑studios emerge—we’ll need additional capacity to serve that broader community," he said. Gamescom Dev’s origins date 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 (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes stresses that the two events coexist rather than compete. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he noted.
"We’re separate companies, 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, sharing knowledge and networking. It’s not about eliminating rivals; it’s about everyone thriving together. Right now GDC is facing some challenges due to external conditions, and we hope those improve.
When all conferences succeed, the whole ecosystem benefits." A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the Leadership Summit series. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private forum—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can discuss the current turbulence in the market candidly. Hammes believes such a "safe space" is vital for open dialogue.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explained. "During the inaugural summit, we asked participants to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news to their teams that year—every hand went up. When we asked who had received bad news themselves, the same result occurred. The environment is undeniably tough right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence.
By creating a confidential setting, we encourage honest conversation about challenges, strategies, and the way forward." 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 disparity as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t carry the sector through upcoming changes. "You might think we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he said.
"In reality, the most critical skill highlighted by the survey is leadership—27 % of respondents named it as the top priority. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We need people—leaders—who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and inspire confidence." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: small studios are emerging as powerful innovators, the conference ecosystem is evolving to become more integrated and supportive, and the need for strong, empathetic leadership is more pronounced than ever.
As Gamescom Dev continues to adapt—whether by expanding its physical footprint, refining its program, or fostering safe spaces for executive dialogue—it aims to remain a pivotal platform for developers of all sizes navigating the rapidly shifting landscape of modern game creation.