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. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet the business side remains essential," Hammes explains 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 expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design principles, and also receive guidance on running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals are still crucial." The event, which was originally known as Devcom, underwent a rebranding in August 2025 to become Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the broader Gamescom experience into a full‑week affair. Hammes believes that aligning the two events under a single banner brings significant advantages. "The case for tighter integration with Gamescom is compelling," he says.
"We now have a powerful partner on our side, and that translates into tangible benefits for attendees. Previously, there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them.
Today, there’s a unified ticket portal: you purchase one pass and you have access to everything from Monday through Friday, including the main Gamescom exhibition. It simplifies planning and makes the whole week feel like a cohesive business summit." This year’s program is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "We’re not chasing arbitrary targets for speaker count or session volume. It’s always about matching supply with demand.
The market is becoming more specialised, and we aim to reflect that in the quality of the content rather than sheer quantity." A practical limitation, however, is the venue itself: the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current layout accommodates the event comfortably, Hammes acknowledges that space for expansion is limited. "If the industry continues on its present trajectory, we may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue. The current plan is not to dramatically increase the size of Gamescom Dev right now, because that would entail a more complex logistical shift.
But if the democratization of game development persists—if more indie and micro‑studios emerge—we’ll inevitably need more room to serve that growing community." Gamescom Dev was launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) naturally competes for a similar audience, Hammes prefers to view the relationship as complementary rather than adversarial.
"There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he notes. "We’re separate organisations, each with our own business models, but the industry benefits when multiple events thrive. It’s not about crushing the competition; it’s about creating a global circus where ideas circulate and everyone gains.
At the moment GDC faces some challenges due to external circumstances, and we sincerely hope they overcome them. A healthy ecosystem means all conferences can flourish, and that lifts the entire sector." A fresh feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly.
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," he says. "During the inaugural summit, we raised our hands to acknowledge that everyone in the room had delivered bad news that year, and the room was filled with nods. The environment is undeniably tough right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project unwavering confidence.
By offering a confidential setting, we encourage them to be transparent about challenges, which can ultimately lead to more resilient strategies across the industry." The speaker survey also revealed a split view 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 discrepancy as a signal that technical expertise alone won’t drive success. "You could argue we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he says.
"My conclusion is that neither is true. The data shows that 27 % of respondents identified leadership as the most critical skill. That tells us the industry recognises change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster adaptability.
In other words, people—not just algorithms—will shape the future of gaming." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, event organisers are consolidating to provide richer, more integrated experiences, and the emphasis is shifting from sheer scale to specialised, leadership‑driven growth. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its role as a central hub for both creative and business education is set to become even more vital for the next generation of game makers.