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‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth potential within the broader games market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain 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 developers can access everything they need – from production techniques and coding expertise to creative direction, design insights, and practical lessons on running a sustainable business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the fundamentals of business management stay crucial." The event, formerly known as Devcom until its rebranding in August 2025, has effectively become an extension of the main Gamescom week. Hammes notes that the name change was more than cosmetic; it integrates the two gatherings into a seamless experience for attendees.
"There are strong arguments for bringing the two events closer together," he says. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which brings a host of practical advantages. Previously, participants had to navigate two separate conferences, purchase two different tickets, and manage two distinct schedules with little overlap.
Today, everything is consolidated into a single ticketing platform. If you buy a pass, you gain access to the entire Gamescom business week—from Monday through Friday—allowing you to move freely between the two programs." This year’s programme is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured purely by numbers. "It shouldn’t be a numbers game," he remarks.
"We’re not chasing arbitrary attendance targets. The market is becoming more specialized, and the real metric is whether supply meets demand for the topics our audience cares about." One logistical challenge Hammes acknowledges is the physical capacity of the venue. The Confex Center at Koelnmesse currently accommodates the event, but its space constraints limit future expansion.
"We’re fitting comfortably for now, but there’s limited room to grow," he admits. "If the industry continues on its current trajectory, we may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue. The democratization of game development—where smaller teams can produce high‑quality titles—could eventually demand more space to serve a broader community." Gamescom Dev traces its origins to 2017, filling the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar demographic, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
Instead, he emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the global development community. "We’re distinct organisations," he says. "Everyone wants to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry functions like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge and networking.
It isn’t about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together. Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges due to external circumstances, and we hope their situation improves.
When all conferences succeed, the whole industry benefits." A noteworthy addition to this year’s schedule is the Leadership Summit series. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private environment—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the sector’s turbulent climate. Hammes stresses the importance of such safe spaces: "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explains. "When we opened the first summit, we asked who had delivered bad news in the past year, and every hand went up.
We asked who had heard bad news about their company, and again, all hands stayed raised. The current environment is undeniably tricky.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability, but they also need a venue where they can be candid about challenges. These summits aim to provide that honesty and openness." The speaker survey also revealed 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. "What does that tell us?" Hammes reflects. "It could suggest we either overestimate AI’s impact or under‑prepare for it. In reality, the most critical skill, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership.
This indicates that the industry recognizes change is coming and isn’t looking for a technological silver bullet. Instead, we need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster adaptability." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are emerging as key innovators, the Gamescom Dev conference is evolving to better serve a specialized audience, and the focus is shifting from sheer scale to quality, leadership, and collaborative growth.
As the event continues to adapt—potentially expanding its footprint and deepening its partnership with Gamescom—it aims to remain a pivotal platform for developers navigating the complexities of today’s gaming landscape.