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 evidence that today’s most promising market segment consists of smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explained to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the day‑to‑day administration. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can absorb production techniques, programming tricks, artistic direction, and design theory, while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side stays vital." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience. Hammes believes the rebranding creates a stronger link between the two gatherings. "The rationale for bringing the two events closer together is compelling," he said. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which brings numerous practical benefits.
Previously attendees had to juggle two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and two distinct purchase processes, with little overlap. Today it’s a single ticket portal: you buy one pass and you have access to everything from Monday through Friday, and you can also wander over to the main Gamescom floor whenever you like." This year’s programme features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions that success shouldn’t be measured purely by numbers. "It isn’t a numbers game where we chase arbitrary targets.
It’s always about balancing supply and demand. We’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization, and that shapes how we curate the agenda," he noted.
A practical limitation for the event is the size of its venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current layout comfortably accommodates the schedule, Hammes admits there is "limited room to grow" within those walls. Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the conference may need to relocate or physically integrate even more closely with Gamescom.
"Our current plan isn’t to balloon the event dramatically because that would demand a bigger logistical effort and possibly a move nearer to Gamescom’s main site. If the democratization of game development persists—if smaller studios keep proliferating—we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone," he explained. Devcom originally launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
He emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the industry. "We’re separate organisations, each chasing revenue, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The global conference circuit feels like a circus in a positive sense—people travel from one event to another, sharing insights.
It’s not about crushing other conferences; it’s about collective health. If all events thrive, the whole ecosystem benefits.
Our friends at GDC are currently dealing with venue‑related challenges, and I hope those issues improve soon for them as well," he said. A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings give top executives a private space—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. Hammes stresses the importance of such a "safe space" for candid dialogue.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives. When we opened the first summit, every hand went up when we asked who had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when we asked who had received bad news. The environment is undeniably tough right now. Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence, but we need a setting where they can be honest about challenges," he remarked.
The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of presenters 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 disparity as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t steer the industry through upcoming changes.
"You could argue we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the data suggests a different conclusion. The most valued skill, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership.
That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We’re seeking leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty," he concluded. 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, transparent leadership is rising to meet both technological disruption and market volatility.
The upcoming Gamescom Dev week aims to reflect these dynamics, offering a blend of practical training, strategic discussion, and networking opportunities designed to equip developers of all sizes for the challenges ahead.