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 market segment lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while a compact team can accomplish a great deal, the necessity of handling the business side of operations does not disappear.
"Even if you’re just a three‑person outfit, someone still has to manage contracts, finances and partnerships," he says. He believes Gamescom Dev can serve as a one‑stop hub where indie creators receive not only technical and creative guidance—ranging from production methods and coding techniques to design theory—but also practical instruction on running a sustainable business in a technology‑driven landscape. The event, originally known as Devcom, was renamed Gamescom Dev in August 2025, a change Hammes says effectively extends the broader Gamescom experience into a full‑week affair. "Aligning more closely with Gamescom makes a lot of sense," he notes.
"We now have a powerful partner behind us, which brings numerous benefits. For attendees, the process is far simpler: previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems and a fragmented schedule. Now there’s a single ticket portal that grants access to everything from Monday through Friday, allowing participants to move seamlessly between the Gamescom Dev program and the main Gamescom exhibition." This year’s lineup features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be measured merely by numbers. "It’s not about hitting a specific quota of talks or attendees; it’s about matching supply with demand and recognizing that the market is becoming increasingly specialized," he explains. He also acknowledges that the current venue—the Confex Center at Koelnmesse—places a ceiling on how much the event can grow.
While the space comfortably accommodates the existing program, Hammes admits there is "limited room to expand" and that future growth may require a closer physical integration with the main Gamescom site. Looking ahead, Hammes says there are no immediate plans to dramatically enlarge the footprint of Gamescom Dev. "If we were to become significantly bigger, we would need to consider moving nearer to Gamescom, which is a real possibility," he says. He adds that the ongoing democratization of game development—where smaller teams are empowered by affordable tools and distribution platforms—could eventually demand more capacity to serve an ever‑wider audience.
Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 as a response to the disappearance of the GDC Europe conference, aiming to fill the gap for European developers seeking a dedicated forum. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar demographic and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. He emphasizes the sense of community that exists behind the scenes, describing the industry as a "global circus" where professionals travel from one event to another, sharing knowledge rather than engaging in cut‑throat rivalry.
"Everyone wants to make money, but it’s not as ruthless as some might think," he says. He also expresses concern for GDC’s current challenges, noting that external circumstances have created difficulties for the conference and hoping that conditions improve for all parties involved. A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the introduction of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day gatherings provide a private environment—without press, microphones or recordings—where senior executives can speak candidly about the turbulent state of the market. Hammes stresses the importance of offering a "safe space" for leaders to voice concerns and exchange ideas. He recounts a recent summit where every participant raised their hand to acknowledge having delivered bad news within the past year, underscoring the difficulty of maintaining a façade of stability in today’s volatile environment.
"It’s not about listening; it’s about speaking up and exchanging perspectives," he remarks. The speaker survey also reveals 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 neither an overestimation of AI’s impact nor an under‑preparation for it. Instead, he points to the data showing that 27 % of respondents rank leadership as the most critical competency. "We recognize that change is coming, but we don’t expect technology alone to rescue us.
We need leaders who can guide us through the transition," he explains. In summary, Frederik Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are poised to seize the biggest opportunities, yet they must still navigate the complexities of business management. Gamescom Dev aims to support these teams by consolidating technical, creative, and commercial expertise under one roof, while also fostering a collaborative community that extends beyond competition. With a streamlined ticketing system, expanded programming, and dedicated leadership forums, the event seeks to adapt to the evolving needs of developers—big and small—while remaining mindful of venue constraints and the broader ecosystem of global gaming conferences.