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 the most promising segment of the games market today is made up of smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while a compact team can punch above its weight in terms of creative output, 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 tasks that keep the company afloat.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop shop where developers can soak up production know‑how, programming expertise, creative guidance and design insights, while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology gets, the commercial side stays crucial." The event itself underwent a significant rebranding in August 2025, when Devcom was renamed Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the reach of the flagship Gamescom exhibition into a full‑week business programme. Hammes believes that aligning the two events under a single banner offers tangible benefits for attendees and exhibitors alike.
"The case for bringing Gamescom Dev closer to Gamescom is compelling," he notes. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, and that opens up a host of practical advantages.
For example, before the rebrand we ran two separate conferences with distinct ticketing systems, which could be confusing for newcomers. Now everything is consolidated into one ticket shop: you purchase a single pass and you have access to the entire business week, from Monday through Friday, as well as the main Gamescom exhibition. It streamlines the experience and makes it easier for people who are unfamiliar with the ecosystem to navigate." This year’s programme is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "We shouldn’t chase arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals," he says. "The real driver is supply and demand. We’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization, with studios seeking very focused knowledge rather than broad, generic content." A practical limitation for Gamescom Dev is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the existing schedule, Hammes acknowledges that physical constraints could become a bottleneck if the industry’s growth trajectory continues. "At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would require us to move even closer to the main Gamescom site, which is a possibility we’re keeping under review," he explains. "If the democratization of game development keeps accelerating—meaning more indie teams, more micro‑studios, more creators entering the field—we’ll eventually need additional room to host 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 targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he emphasizes a collaborative spirit that exists behind the scenes. "We’re separate organisations, each with our own business models, but the industry isn’t a zero‑sum game," he says. "Everyone wants to be profitable, yet the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
It feels more like a global circus where people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas and building relationships. If one event thrives, it lifts the whole ecosystem. Right now GDC is dealing with some logistical challenges that are beyond their control, and I sincerely hope those issues improve. When all conferences succeed, the entire sector benefits." A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can speak candidly about the volatile conditions facing the market. "The purpose isn’t just to listen; it’s to speak up and exchange perspectives," Hammes explains.
"During the inaugural summit I witnessed a room full of leaders raising their hands when asked how many had delivered bad news to their teams this year—every hand went up. When asked how many had received bad news themselves, the same result. It underscores how challenging the current climate is.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability, but these summits give them a safe space to be honest about the difficulties they’re encountering." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on the role of artificial intelligence in the industry’s future. While 47 % of respondents believe AI will be the most transformative development over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to acquire. "What does that tell us? It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes reflects.
"In reality, the data suggests the most critical competency is leadership—27 % of speakers identified it as the foremost skill. That signals a recognition that change is inevitable, but technology alone won’t navigate us through it. We need people who can guide teams, make strategic decisions and inspire confidence amid uncertainty." Overall, Hammes’s outlook paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining influence, conferences are consolidating for greater accessibility, and leadership—more than any single technology—is seen as the key to steering the sector through upcoming challenges.
As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its role as a hub for both creative insight and business acumen will likely become even more pivotal for developers of all sizes.