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 clear evidence that independent, smaller development studios now represent the most significant growth potential within the gaming market. In a candid interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasized that while a compact team can be remarkably efficient, the need for solid business management never disappears. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and partnerships," he explained.
"Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. Despite rapid technological advances, the business side remains a cornerstone of success." The event, originally known as Devcom, underwent a rebranding in August 2025 to become Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the broader Gamescom experience into a full week of focused development activities. Hammes believes that aligning the two events more closely offers numerous practical benefits. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which simplifies the experience for attendees," he said.
"Previously, participants had to navigate two separate conferences, purchase distinct tickets, and manage two unrelated schedules. Today, everything is consolidated into a single ticketing platform.
Visitors can buy one pass and enjoy both the development sessions and the main Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday, creating a seamless business week." This year’s program is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. However, Hammes cautions against viewing the event purely as a numbers game. "We shouldn't chase arbitrary attendance targets; it's about matching supply with demand," he noted.
"The industry is becoming increasingly specialized, and we aim to reflect that specialization in our programming rather than simply inflating speaker counts." Despite the event’s success, Hammes acknowledges that the current venue—the Confex Center at Koelnmesse—places a ceiling on further expansion. While the space comfortably accommodates the existing schedule, there is "limited room to grow" without relocating or reconfiguring the layout. He suggests that if the trend toward smaller, democratized studios continues, Gamescom Dev may eventually need a larger footprint or a closer physical integration with the main Gamescom fair.
"We’re not planning a massive expansion right now," he clarified, "but we are keeping an eye on the evolving needs of indie developers. If the market keeps democratizing, we’ll need more capacity to serve everyone effectively." Gamescom Dev’s origins trace 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, Hammes stresses that the two events coexist rather than compete. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he said. "We’re separate organizations, each with our own goals, but the industry thrives when multiple conferences succeed.
It’s not a zero‑sum game; it’s a global circus where people travel from one event to another, sharing knowledge and networking. When one conference faces challenges—like GDC’s current logistical issues—it doesn’t diminish the overall health of the industry. We all benefit when everyone does well." A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives with a confidential environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the gaming market.
Hammes believes that offering a "safe space" for candid dialogue is crucial, especially as many leaders are confronting difficult news. "During the first summit, we asked how many attendees had delivered bad news in the past year; every hand went up," he recalled. "Similarly, when asked who had received bad news about their own company, the response was unanimous. The industry is navigating a tricky environment, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence.
These summits allow them to speak openly, share challenges, and collectively brainstorm solutions without the fear of public scrutiny." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the sector. While 47 % of speakers anticipate AI will be the most transformative development over the next three years, only 11 % view AI literacy as the top skill developers need to acquire.
Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t drive future success. "It’s not that we overestimate AI’s impact or underestimate its importance; rather, the most critical capability is leadership," he argued. "Twenty‑seven percent of respondents identified leadership as the key skill.
This tells us that industry professionals recognize impending change and understand that technology alone won’t solve every problem. They’re looking for leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster adaptability." In summary, Frederik Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as an evolving platform that supports the burgeoning indie scene while maintaining a strong emphasis on business acumen, community collaboration, and leadership development. By consolidating tickets, expanding programming, and introducing confidential leadership forums, the event aims to address both the creative and operational challenges faced by modern game developers.
As the industry continues to democratize and technology reshapes development pipelines, Hammes believes that nurturing skilled leaders and providing comprehensive resources will be the cornerstone of sustained growth and innovation.