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 independent and smaller development studios now represent the most significant growth opportunity in the gaming market. In his interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while a compact team can punch above its weight creatively and technically, the need for solid business management does not disappear. "Even if you’re a three‑person studio, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and marketing," he says.
"Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, coding guidance, design insight, and also practical lessons on running a sustainable business, because regardless of how advanced the technology becomes, the business side remains crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the overall Gamescom experience into a full week of focused industry programming. Hammes believes that aligning the two conferences under a single brand offers clear advantages for attendees and partners alike.
"We now have a powerful, well‑known partner in Gamescom, and that brings a host of benefits," he notes. "Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them.
Today everything is consolidated into one ticket portal, making it far simpler for participants to plan their week. If you purchase a pass, you can attend Gamescom Dev sessions from Monday to Friday and then seamlessly transition to the main Gamescom exhibition later in the week." This year’s schedule is impressive, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game. "We don’t aim to hit arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals," he says.
"The focus is on matching supply with demand, and we’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization. Developers are looking for deeper, more niche content rather than a broad, generic program." Despite the robust lineup, the physical constraints of the venue—the Confex Center at Koelnmesse—pose a ceiling on further expansion. Hammes acknowledges that while the current space accommodates the event comfortably, there is "limited room to grow". He suggests that if the industry continues its rapid trajectory, Gamescom Dev may need to consider a larger footprint or even a closer physical integration with the main Gamescom fair.
"Our immediate plan isn’t to dramatically enlarge the event," he explains, "but if the democratization of game development continues—more small studios entering the market—we’ll eventually need more space to serve that community." Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he says. "We’re separate companies, each trying to make a profit, but the competition isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry is a global circus, and people travel from one conference to another. Success for one event lifts the whole ecosystem. Right now GDC is dealing with some venue‑related challenges, and we hope those issues resolve quickly.
In the end, if everyone thrives, the whole industry benefits." A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide top‑level executives 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 not about listening; it’s about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he remarks. "When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to admit they had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed up when asked if they’d heard bad news about their own companies. The current climate is undeniably tricky, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence.
These summits let them drop the façade and talk honestly about challenges and strategies." The speaker survey also revealed a split perspective on artificial intelligence within the industry. While 47 % of speakers 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 gap as a sign that technical proficiency alone won’t steer the industry through upcoming changes. "You might think we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he says.
"In reality, the most critical 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 need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and inspire confidence." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining influence, the conference ecosystem is consolidating for greater accessibility, and leadership development is becoming as vital as technical know‑how. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its focus remains on providing a comprehensive platform where creators can learn, network, and grow—whether they are a three‑person indie team or a mid‑size studio looking to scale.
The event’s future may involve larger venues or tighter integration with the main Gamescom fair, but its core mission—to empower developers of all sizes and equip them with both creative and business acumen—remains steadfast.