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 segment of the games market today is made up of smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while compact teams can punch above their weight in terms of creative output, the need for solid business management never disappears.
"You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he says. "Even if you’re just a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, and the myriad administrative tasks that keep a studio afloat.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access everything they need – production know‑how, programming expertise, design insight, and artistic direction – while also picking up the skills required to run a sustainable business. Technology may evolve rapidly, but the fundamentals of running a company stay crucial." The event itself underwent a significant rebranding in August 2025, when Devcom was renamed Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the reach of the larger Gamescom festival into a full‑week affair.
Hammes believes this alignment brings tangible benefits for attendees and exhibitors alike. "The case for bringing Gamescom Dev closer to the main Gamescom schedule is compelling," he notes.
"We now have a powerful partner behind us, which opens up many practical advantages. Previously, participants had to juggle two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and two distinct purchasing processes, which created a fragmented experience. Today, everything is consolidated into a single ticket portal.
If you buy a ticket for Gamescom Dev, you automatically gain access to the broader Gamescom program from Monday through Friday. It’s a seamless, integrated business week that simplifies planning for everyone involved." This year’s program is robust, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "We don’t measure success solely by the quantity of speakers or sessions," he asserts.
"It’s always about supply and demand, and we’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization. The industry is maturing, and participants are looking for depth rather than breadth." One logistical hurdle remains the venue itself. The Confex Center at Koelnmesse, while adequate for the current scale, offers limited capacity for future expansion. Hammes acknowledges that if the gaming sector continues its upward trajectory, the event may need to relocate or physically integrate more closely with the main Gamescom grounds.
"At this point, we’re not planning a massive expansion that would force us to move nearer to Gamescom," he explains. "However, if the democratization of game development continues – with ever more indie and micro‑studios entering the market – we’ll eventually require additional space to accommodate everyone." Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, filling the void left when GDC Europe ceased operations. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes prefers to view the two events as complementary rather than competitive.
"Both conferences are run by separate organizations, and while everyone is ultimately trying to make a profit, the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat," he says. "The industry feels like a global circus in the best possible sense – professionals travel from one event to the next, sharing knowledge and building relationships. If one conference thrives, it lifts the entire ecosystem. We’re aware that GDC is currently facing challenges due to external circumstances, and we sincerely hope those issues are resolved soon.
A healthy, thriving GDC benefits everyone." A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda this year is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private environment free from press, microphones, and recordings. Hammes emphasizes the importance of such a "safe space" for candid dialogue amid the turbulent conditions facing the sector. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he remarks.
"When we opened the first summit, we asked the room how many had delivered bad news in the past year – every hand went up. We then asked how many had received bad news about their own company – again, every hand stayed raised. The current climate is undeniably challenging. Leaders often feel pressured to project confidence and stability, but these summits allow them to be vulnerable, discuss setbacks, and collectively brainstorm 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 to cultivate. "What does that tell us?
It could mean we’re either overestimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes observes. "In reality, the data suggests something else: leadership emerged as the most critical competency, with 27 % of respondents ranking it highest.
This indicates that industry professionals recognize change is inevitable, but they don’t expect technology alone to steer them through it. They’re looking for leaders who can guide teams, make strategic decisions, and navigate uncertainty." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in flux, where small studios hold the greatest growth potential, where business acumen remains indispensable, and where leadership, more than any single technology, will determine success.
Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a consolidated platform for learning, networking, and strategic discussion, all while acknowledging the spatial constraints of its current venue and the broader ecosystem of global game development conferences.