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 evidence that independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth prospect within the video‑game sector. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and marketing. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, design insight, and creative feedback, while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business.
No matter how advanced the technology gets, those commercial skills 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 experience. Hammes explained that aligning the two conferences under a single brand brings clear advantages. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that partnership simplifies things for attendees. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them.
Today there is a single ticket portal that grants access to everything from Monday through Friday, allowing participants to move seamlessly between Gamescom Dev sessions and the main Gamescom exhibition." This year’s programme features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautioned against treating the event as a numbers game. "It isn’t about hitting a target count of talks or attendees.
It’s about matching supply with demand, and we’re seeing the market become more specialised." However, the growth of Gamescom Dev is constrained by its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present schedule, Hammes noted that "there is limited room for expansion". Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider relocating or physically integrating the event more closely with the main Gamescom site.
"Our current plan isn’t to balloon the event dramatically, because that would require a larger logistical effort and possibly a move closer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues—if smaller studios keep proliferating—we’ll need more room to serve that community," he said.
Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left when GDC Europe ceased operations. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he remarked.
"We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge. If every event thrives, the whole ecosystem benefits.
Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges due to external conditions, and we hope the situation improves for them as well." A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent state of the market. Hammes stressed the importance of such a "safe space". "It’s not just about listening; it’s about speaking up and exchanging ideas.
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 up when we asked who had received bad news for their own company. The climate is tough right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. We want to give them a venue where they can be candid without fear of external scrutiny." The speaker survey also revealed a split view on artificial intelligence. 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 interpreted this discrepancy as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t solve upcoming challenges. "You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the data suggests the real priority is leadership," he explained. "27 % of respondents identified leadership as the most critical skill. That tells us the industry recognises change is imminent, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." In summary, Hammes sees Gamescom Dev as a catalyst for the next wave of indie innovation, providing both the technical knowledge and the business acumen required for small studios to thrive. By consolidating tickets, expanding the schedule, and introducing private leadership forums, the event aims to support a more specialised, collaborative, and resilient gaming community. As the market continues to evolve, the emphasis on strong leadership and adaptable business practices will likely remain the cornerstone of success for developers of all sizes.