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 today’s most promising market segment belongs to smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that while compact teams can punch above their weight in terms of creative output, the need for solid business management does not disappear. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains.
"Even if your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, and the myriad administrative tasks that keep the operation afloat. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can soak up production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and, crucially, learn how to run a sustainable business.
Technology may evolve rapidly, but the fundamentals of running a company stay vital." The event itself underwent a significant rebranding in August 2025, when Devcom was renamed Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the broader Gamescom experience into a full‑week affair. Hammes believes this alignment brings tangible benefits. "The case for bringing Dev closer to Gamescom is compelling," he says.
"We now have a strong, established partner, which simplifies things for attendees. Previously, there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them.
Now everything is consolidated under a single ticket portal, allowing participants to purchase one pass and enjoy both the business‑focused sessions during the week and the main Gamescom exhibition through Friday." This year’s program features an impressive lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "Success isn’t about hitting a target figure for speakers or sessions. It’s about matching supply with demand and recognizing that the industry is becoming increasingly specialized," he notes.
A practical limitation, however, is the venue itself. Gamescom Dev currently occupies the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, a space that accommodates the event but leaves little room for expansion. Hammes acknowledges the constraint, saying, "We’re at capacity in the current hall, so growth is capped unless we consider relocating closer to the main Gamescom site.
If the industry continues its current trajectory, we may need a larger footprint to serve the growing community of indie and mid‑size developers." Looking back, Devcom was launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. While the San‑Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference naturally competes for similar audiences, Hammes prefers to view the relationship as complementary rather than adversarial. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he remarks.
"Both events aim to generate revenue, but the competition isn’t cut‑throat. The global conference circuit functions like a circus in a positive sense—people travel from one event to another, sharing knowledge and networking. If one conference thrives, it lifts the entire industry." He also comments on the recent challenges faced by GDC, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for their colleagues. "We hope the situation improves for them, because a healthy ecosystem benefits everyone," Hammes adds.
A fresh addition to this year’s agenda is the Leadership Summit series. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures with a private space free from press, microphones, and recordings. Hammes stresses the importance of such “safe spaces” during turbulent times.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking openly," he says. "During the inaugural summit, we asked attendees to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news in the past year—every hand went up.
When we asked who had heard bad news about their own company, the hands stayed raised. The current climate is undeniably tricky, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. These summits let them be candid, share challenges, and collectively brainstorm solutions." 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 developers need to acquire.
Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that the industry may be over‑estimating AI’s immediate impact while under‑preparing for it. "The real priority, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership," he explains. "People recognize that change is coming, but they don’t expect technology alone to rescue them. They’re looking for leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster resilience." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are emerging as the engine of growth, the conference ecosystem is evolving to become more integrated, and the need for strong, empathetic leadership is louder than ever.
As Gamescom Dev continues to adapt—whether by expanding its physical space or deepening its partnership with Gamescom—the focus remains on equipping developers of all sizes with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to thrive in a rapidly shifting market.