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, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant opportunity in the video‑game 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. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he says.
"Even if you’re a three‑person studio, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, marketing and all the other non‑technical aspects. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative guidance, design insight, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology gets, the commercial side stays crucial." The event, which was originally called Devcom, underwent a rebranding in August 2025 and emerged as Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the renowned Gamescom experience into a full‑week programme. Hammes believes this closer alignment with Gamescom brings tangible benefits.
"The case for integrating more tightly with Gamescom is compelling," he notes. "We now have a powerful partner on our side, and that creates a host of practical advantages. For attendees who may not be familiar with the separate conferences, the new structure is far simpler: previously there were two distinct ticketing systems, two sets of sessions and little synergy between them. Now everything is consolidated under a single ticketing portal.
Visitors can purchase one pass and enjoy the entire Gamescom business week—from Monday through Friday—while also dropping into the Gamescom exhibition floor whenever they wish." This year’s lineup is impressive, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured purely by numbers.
"It shouldn't be a numbers game," he asserts. "We don’t need to hit arbitrary attendance targets. The market is naturally self‑regulating; we’re seeing a shift toward more specialised content that meets the specific needs of developers." One logistical challenge that Hammes acknowledges is the physical limitation of the venue. The conference currently occupies the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, which, while adequate for today’s scale, offers limited capacity for future expansion.
"At the moment the show fits comfortably within the existing space, but there’s only so much room to grow," he explains. "If the industry continues its upward trajectory, we may eventually need to relocate or expand closer to the main Gamescom site. The current plan is not to dramatically enlarge the event because that would require a major logistical overhaul, possibly moving the venue nearer to Gamescom.
If the democratization of game development continues—meaning more small studios entering the field—we’ll need additional space to accommodate everyone." 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) shares a similar audience and thematic focus, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the industry.
"We’re still separate organisations," he says. "Everyone wants to make a profit, but the environment isn’t as cut‑throat as some might think. The industry feels like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to the next, sharing knowledge and building relationships.
It isn’t about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together. Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing some challenges due to external circumstances, and I sincerely hope their situation improves. When one conference does well, it reflects positively on the whole sector." A notable new feature of this year’s agenda is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private forum—free from press, microphones and recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," Hammes explains. "When the first summit started, we raised our hands to see how many attendees had delivered bad news in the past year—every hand went up. The same question about receiving bad news yielded the same result.
The environment is undeniably tough right now. Leaders often feel pressured to project confidence and stability, but we need a safe space where they can be honest about challenges and seek collective solutions." The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative development for the industry over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to acquire.
"How do we reconcile that?" Hammes asks. "Perhaps we over‑estimate AI’s impact or under‑prepare for it.
My take is that neither is entirely correct. When you look at the data, 27 % of respondents identified leadership as the most critical skill. That tells us we recognise change is coming, but we don’t expect technology alone to rescue us.
We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions and foster a culture that can adapt to new tools like AI." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and the emphasis is shifting from sheer scale to specialised, high‑quality content and strong leadership. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its success will hinge on its ability to provide both practical resources for indie developers and a collaborative platform for senior executives navigating an increasingly complex market landscape.