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 independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth potential in the video‑game sector. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and day‑to‑day operations.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, artistic guidance, design insights, and, crucially, education on running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals stay vital." In August 2025, the former Devcom event was rebranded as Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the broader Gamescom experience into a full week of focused development content. Hammes believes the closer alignment with the flagship Gamescom brand brings clear advantages. "The case for tying our event more tightly to Gamescom is compelling," he explained.
"We now have a powerful, well‑known partner, which simplifies things for attendees. Previously we ran two separate conferences, each with its own ticketing system and little crossover.
Now there is a single ticket portal, and everything you need is in one place. The week runs from Monday through Friday as part of the Gamescom business week, so anyone who buys a ticket can also attend Gamescom events later in the week without juggling multiple passes." 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 shouldn't be a numbers game. We aren't chasing arbitrary targets; it's about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming increasingly specialised, and we aim to reflect that in our line‑up," he said.
The event’s current home, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, imposes physical limits on further expansion. While the venue comfortably accommodates the present schedule, Hammes acknowledges that continued industry growth could force a move to a larger space or a tighter integration with the main Gamescom site.
"At the moment we’re not planning a massive enlargement because that would require a more substantial logistical shift, possibly even relocating closer to the main Gamescom grounds. If the democratization of game development continues—if small studios keep multiplying—we'll need more room to serve everyone," he noted. Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left when GDC Europe discontinued its European edition.
Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference shares a similar audience and topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he emphasises a collaborative spirit within the industry. "We are separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry feels like a global circus where people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas rather than trying to eliminate each other.
When all conferences thrive, the whole sector benefits. Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges due to external circumstances, and we hope those issues improve soon. In the end, we all want the industry to be healthy." A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the Leadership Summit series. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings give senior executives a private setting—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives," Hammes said. "When we first launched the summit, we asked attendees to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news that year; every hand went up. We then asked who had received bad news; again, every hand stayed raised. The environment is undeniably tough right now.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence, but we wanted to create a safe space where they can be candid about the difficulties they face." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative force in the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to cultivate. "What does that tell us?
Either we over‑estimate AI’s impact or we’re under‑preparing for it," Hammes reflected. "My reading is that it’s actually neither. When you ask what skill matters most, 27 % point to leadership.
That signals a consensus: we recognise change is coming, but we don’t expect technology alone to rescue us. We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and inspire confidence." Overall, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a growing, adaptable platform that supports the rise of small studios while fostering a collaborative, knowledge‑sharing community. By blending technical sessions with business education and offering private leadership forums, the event aims to equip developers of all sizes with the tools—and the guidance—they need to thrive in an ever‑evolving market.