Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the recent Gamescom Dev speaker survey as clear evidence that today’s most promising chance for expansion lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a tiny team can punch above its weight, but the need for business acumen never disappears. “If you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle the administrative side,” he explains. “I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insight, and also learn the fundamentals of running a business.
No matter how advanced the technology gets, solid business management stays crucial.” The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience. Hammes believes the proximity to Gamescom offers a strategic advantage. “We now have a powerful partner behind us, and that brings many benefits.
Practically speaking, it simplifies things for attendees who might not have been familiar with the previous setup. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticket types, two purchasing systems, and little integration. Today everything is consolidated into a single ticket portal. Visitors can buy one pass and attend both the Gamescom Dev programme and the broader Gamescom events from Monday through Friday.” This year’s agenda features an impressive roster: 390 speakers, 220 sessions, and 17 distinct stages.
Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game. “We don’t aim to hit arbitrary attendance targets.
It’s always about matching supply with demand, and we’re seeing the market become more specialized.” A practical limitation, however, is the venue itself. The Confex Center at Koelnmesse currently accommodates the show, but Hammes admits there is “limited room to grow.” Should the industry continue its rapid trajectory, the event may need to expand further or move even closer to the main Gamescom site. “Our current plan isn’t to dramatically increase size because that would require a larger logistical effort, possibly relocating nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues—if more indie and micro‑studios emerge—we’ll need more space to serve everyone.” Gamescom Dev’s origins trace back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe.
While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) naturally competes for similar audiences, Hammes stresses a collaborative spirit rather than rivalry. “There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes,” he says. “We’re separate companies, each aiming to be profitable, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to another. It’s not about eliminating competitors; it’s about everyone thriving together. Right now GDC faces challenges due to external conditions, and we hope those improve soon.” A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev lineup is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings give top executives a private forum—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market.
Hammes believes such “safe spaces” are vital for candid dialogue. “It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas,” he notes.
“When we opened the first summit, every hand went up when we asked who had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when we asked who had received bad news for their own company. The environment is clearly challenging. Leaders are accustomed to projecting confidence, but they need a venue where they can be honest about difficulties.” The speaker survey also revealed a split view on artificial intelligence.
While 47 % of presenters anticipate 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 expertise alone won’t solve upcoming challenges. “You could argue 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 and help them adapt.” Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining influence, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and the emphasis is shifting from pure technical prowess to strong, adaptable leadership.
As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its role as a comprehensive resource—for creative, technical, and business development—remains central to supporting both emerging indie creators and established studios navigating a rapidly changing landscape.