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 current games market lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a tiny team can punch well above its weight, but the necessity of handling the commercial side of the operation never disappears. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains.
"If you’re a three‑person studio, somebody still has to manage contracts, budgets, marketing and all the other non‑technical aspects. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop shop where creators can pick up everything they need – production know‑how, programming expertise, creative direction, design insights – and also learn how to run a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals are still the backbone of success." The event itself underwent a major rebranding in August 2025, when the former Devcom was renamed Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the broader Gamescom experience into a full week of focused industry programming. Hammes believes the closer alignment with the flagship Gamescom brand brings tangible benefits.
"The case for integrating more tightly with Gamescom is compelling," he says. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which simplifies things for attendees. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems and a fragmented experience. Now everything is consolidated into a single ticket platform.
Visitors can purchase one pass and attend the business‑focused sessions from Monday through Friday, then seamlessly transition to the main Gamescom exhibition later in the week." This year’s schedule is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions, however, that success shouldn’t be measured purely by numbers. "It shouldn’t be a numbers game," he notes.
"We’re not chasing arbitrary attendance targets; it’s about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialised, and we aim to reflect that specialisation in the content we offer." A practical limitation for the event is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present programme, Hammes acknowledges that physical expansion options are constrained. "At the moment the venue fits our needs, but there’s limited room for growth," he admits.
"If the industry continues on its current trajectory, we may eventually need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger facility. The democratisation of game development – more indie teams, more diverse creators – could eventually outgrow our existing footprint." Gamescom Dev traces its origins 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 is quick to dismiss any notion of direct rivalry.
"We’re separate organisations with our own identities," he says. "Everyone wants to make a profit, but the industry isn’t as cut‑throat as some might think.
It’s more like a global circus where people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge and building relationships. If all the events thrive, the whole ecosystem benefits." He also comments on the recent challenges faced by GDC, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for the conference.
Hammes expresses genuine hope that conditions improve for their peers, underscoring the collaborative spirit that underpins the broader development community. A notable new feature for Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits – intimate, one‑day gatherings where senior industry figures can speak candidly without the presence of press, microphones or recording devices.
Hammes stresses the importance of providing a secure environment for leaders to discuss the turbulent market conditions. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explains. "During the inaugural summit, we did a simple show of hands to see how many attendees had delivered bad news within the past year – every hand went up. When we asked how many had heard bad news about their own companies, the hands stayed raised.
The current climate is undeniably tricky. We want to give leaders a space where they can be honest about setbacks, rather than feeling compelled to project unshakeable confidence at all times." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on the role of artificial intelligence in the industry’s future. While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative development over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to acquire. "How do we interpret that gap?" Hammes asks.
"It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact, or under‑preparing for it. My view is that neither is entirely accurate.
When you look at the data, the skill most frequently identified as crucial is leadership – 27 % of respondents highlighted it as the single most important capability. "That tells us we recognise change is coming, but we’re not banking on technology alone to solve our problems.
We need people – leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster a culture that can adapt to rapid shifts. In other words, the industry is looking for human guidance more than for a specific technical toolbox." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and the need for strong, empathetic leadership is rising to the fore.
As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its focus remains on equipping developers – from three‑person indie teams to large studios – with the knowledge, connections, and confidence they need to thrive in an ever‑changing market.