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 lies with smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told 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 creators can tap into production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also pick up the fundamentals of running a business.
No matter how advanced the technology gets, those business fundamentals stay crucial." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively stretches the traditional Gamescom schedule into a full‑week affair. Hammes explained that aligning the two conferences brings tangible benefits. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that partnership offers many advantages. Practically speaking, it simplifies things for attendees who might not have been familiar with the separate events before.
Previously there were two distinct conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them. Today there’s a single ticket portal that grants access to everything—from the Monday‑through‑Friday business week to the main Gamescom exhibition.
It’s a seamless experience for anyone buying a pass." This year’s programme features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game.
"We don’t aim to hit arbitrary speaker or session targets. It’s always about matching supply with demand, and we’re seeing the market become more specialized. The focus is on relevance, not volume." Despite its growth, the show’s physical footprint is constrained by its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present scale, Hammes acknowledges limited room for expansion.
"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 plan isn’t to balloon the event indiscriminately; any expansion would have to make sense logistically and financially.
However, as the democratization of game development progresses—more indie teams, more micro‑studios—we’ll inevitably need more room to serve that broader community." Devcom originally launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience, Hammes emphasizes a collaborative rather than competitive stance. "We’re separate organisations, each with our own goals, but there’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes.
Everyone wants to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to the next, sharing ideas and fostering growth.
If one event thrives, it lifts the whole ecosystem. Right now GDC is facing some challenges due to external conditions, and we hope those improve soon. Success across the board benefits everyone." A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day gatherings give senior industry figures a private setting—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market climate openly. Hammes stresses the importance of such a “safe space.” "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging viewpoints. When we first hosted the summit, we asked the room how many had delivered bad news that year—every hand went up.
When we asked who had received bad news, the same hands stayed raised. The environment is undeniably tough right now. Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability, but they also need a venue where they can be candid about challenges.
That honesty can lead to better collective solutions." 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 sector over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill to cultivate. Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t drive the future.
"You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the data suggests something else: leadership is the most critical competency—27 % of respondents highlighted it as the key skill. That tells us the industry recognizes that change is coming, but the solution isn’t a new tool or a new programming language. It’s people who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and inspire confidence.
In short, we need leaders who can chart the course through the evolving landscape, not just technologists who can build the next feature." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and the need for strong, adaptable leadership is rising to the forefront. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its role as a central hub for knowledge, networking, and business development is set to become even more vital for both emerging indie creators and established studios alike.