Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the recent Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that the most promising segment of the games market today lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while a compact team can punch above its weight creatively and technically, the need for solid business management does not disappear. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, finances and marketing," he says.
"Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, coding tips, design inspiration, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business, because no amount of technology can replace good business sense." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the larger Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience. Hammes believes that aligning the two events brings clear benefits. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that creates many practical advantages," he notes. "Previously attendees had to juggle two separate conferences, two ticketing systems and two distinct schedules.
Today it’s a single ticket shop that grants access to everything from Monday through Friday, allowing participants to move seamlessly between the business‑focused sessions of Gamescom Dev and the broader entertainment offerings of Gamescom itself." This year’s programme features an impressive roster: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers game. "It’s not about hitting arbitrary attendance targets; it’s about matching supply with demand," he says.
"We’re seeing the market become more specialised, with niche topics gaining traction over broad, generic panels." A limitation Hammes acknowledges is the physical space of the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, the current venue for Gamescom Dev. While the centre comfortably accommodates the existing programme, there is "limited room to grow" within its walls. Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue. "Our current plan isn’t to dramatically increase the size of the event," Hammes explains.
"If the democratization of game development continues—more indie teams, more distributed creation—we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone." Gamescom Dev was launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference covers similar themes and attracts overlapping audiences, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he says.
"We’re separate organisations, each aiming to make a profit, but the competition isn’t cut‑throat. The industry functions like a global circus—people travel from one conference to the next, sharing knowledge and networking. If one event thrives, it lifts the whole ecosystem." Hammes also expressed sympathy for GDC’s recent challenges, attributing them to external circumstances rather than mismanagement. "Our colleagues at GDC are facing issues beyond their control, and we hope the situation improves for them and the broader community," he added.
A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly. Hammes emphasizes the importance of such safe spaces.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explains. "During the inaugural summit, every participant raised their hand when asked how many had delivered bad news in the past year, and the same hands stayed up when asked who had received bad news. It underscores how challenging the current climate is. Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence, but we need honest dialogue to navigate uncertainty." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence.
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 to cultivate. Hammes interprets this discrepancy as a sign that the industry may be overestimating AI’s immediate impact while under‑preparing for its broader implications. "The real priority, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership," he says. "People recognize that change is coming.
They’re not looking for a technological silver bullet; they’re looking for leaders who can guide teams through that change." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: small studios are emerging as the engine of growth, the convergence of Gamescom Dev with the larger Gamescom festival offers logistical and strategic advantages, and the need for strong leadership—more than any single technology—will determine how well the sector adapts to upcoming challenges. As the event continues to evolve, its organizers remain mindful of space constraints, the value of community collaboration, and the importance of providing venues—both physical and conversational—where creators and executives can learn, share, and lead the way forward.