Frederik Hammes, who succeeded Stephan Reichart as the managing director of Gamescom Dev 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 discussion with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a three‑person team must still allocate someone to handle the commercial side of the operation. He believes Gamescom Dev serves as a one‑stop hub where indie creators can access everything they need—from production techniques and programming expertise to creative direction and design insights—while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business.
Despite the rapid advances in technology, he stresses that solid business acumen remains a critical pillar for success. The event, formerly known as Devcom until its rebranding in August 2025, now operates under the Gamescom Dev banner and effectively extends the larger Gamescom experience into a full week of focused industry programming.
Hammes explains that aligning the two conferences brings considerable advantages. "We now have a strong, well‑established partner in Gamescom, which simplifies the experience for attendees.
Previously, participants had to navigate two separate ticketing systems, attend two distinct conferences, and manage disjointed schedules. Today, there is a single ticket portal that grants access to everything—from the Monday‑through‑Friday business week to the main Gamescom exhibition. This unified approach makes it far easier for newcomers and seasoned professionals alike to plan their visit." This year’s lineup features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages, but Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "We don’t aim to hit arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals.
The market is naturally gravitating toward more specialised content, and we want to match supply with genuine demand rather than inflate the program for its own sake," he says. One logistical constraint Hammes acknowledges is the venue itself: the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the current space comfortably accommodates the existing program, the venue offers limited capacity for future expansion. Should the gaming sector continue its upward trajectory, Hammes suggests the event may need to either secure a larger facility or move even closer to the main Gamescom grounds.
"Our current strategy isn’t to dramatically increase the size of Gamescom Dev right now, because that would entail a major logistical shift, possibly relocating nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues—if more small studios emerge—we’ll inevitably need more room to serve that growing community," he explains.
Gamescom Dev was originally launched in 2017 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 the two events as direct competitors. He highlights a sense of camaraderie behind the scenes, noting that both conferences contribute to a healthier, more vibrant industry ecosystem.
"We’re separate organisations, each striving for profitability, but the rivalry isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus where professionals travel from one conference to another. Success for one means success for all.
Recently, GDC has faced challenges related to its operating environment, and we genuinely hope those issues improve for the benefit of the whole community." A noteworthy addition to this year’s schedule is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures with a private forum—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly. Hammes underscores the importance of such “safe spaces,” especially when leaders must confront difficult news. He recounts a moment during the inaugural summit when a show of hands revealed that every participant had delivered bad news to their teams that year, and all remained standing when asked if they had also received disappointing updates.
"It’s a challenging environment right now, and leaders often feel pressured to project unwavering confidence. By offering a confidential setting, we enable honest dialogue and collective problem‑solving," he says. The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion on the role of artificial intelligence in the industry’s future.
While 47 % of speakers predict 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 discrepancy as a sign that technical proficiency alone won’t suffice. "The data suggests we’re not over‑estimating AI’s impact nor under‑preparing for it; rather, the most critical competency emerging is leadership.
About 27 % of respondents identified leadership as the paramount skill. This indicates that the industry recognizes a looming wave of change and is seeking guidance from capable leaders rather than hoping new technologies will solve everything on their own," he explains. In summary, Frederik Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a pivotal platform that supports the rise of small studios, fosters interdisciplinary learning, and cultivates leadership capable of navigating an increasingly complex gaming landscape. By consolidating resources, simplifying access, and creating confidential spaces for candid discussion, the conference aims to empower developers of all sizes to thrive amid rapid technological and market shifts.