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 potential in the gaming sector. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes told GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if your studio consists of just three people, 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 developers can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative input, design guidance, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side stays crucial." The event, formerly known as Devcom until its rebranding in August 2025, has effectively become an extension of the main Gamescom week. Hammes explained that aligning the two conferences under a single brand creates a more cohesive experience for attendees.
"We now have a strong partner in Gamescom, which brings many practical benefits. 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, turning the whole period into a comprehensive Gamescom business week." This year’s program features 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions, however, that success shouldn’t be measured solely by numbers. "It isn’t a race to hit a certain figure; it’s about matching supply with demand.
The market is becoming increasingly specialized, and we aim to reflect that in the content we curate." A logistical constraint for the event is the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, which currently houses Gamescom Dev. While the venue accommodates the present scale, Hammes acknowledges limited capacity for future expansion.
"If the industry continues its rapid growth, we may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger space. The democratization of game development—where smaller studios can produce high‑quality titles—could eventually demand more room to serve a broader audience." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar demographic, Hammes stresses that the two events coexist rather than compete.
"Both are separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry feels like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge and networking. When one event faces challenges, such as the current environmental constraints affecting GDC, we hope they recover quickly because the health of each conference reflects the overall health of the industry." A notable new feature for Gamescom Dev 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 discuss the volatile state of the market openly. Hammes believes this safe space is vital. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas.
When we first held a summit, everyone raised their hand to acknowledge delivering bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked about hearing bad news from other companies. The current climate is challenging, and leaders often feel pressured to project confidence. These summits let them be candid and seek collective solutions." The speaker survey also revealed a split view on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers consider AI the most transformative development for the next three years, only 11 % rank AI literacy as the top skill developers need to acquire.
Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t suffice. "It’s not that we overestimate AI’s impact or underestimate the need for training; rather, the most critical capability identified is leadership—27 % of respondents named it as the foremost skill. This indicates that industry players recognize imminent change and are looking for leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, rather than relying solely on technological fixes." In summary, Hammes envisions a future where smaller studios drive innovation, provided they have access to both technical resources and solid business guidance. By integrating Gamescom Dev more closely with the larger Gamescom ecosystem, offering specialized content, and fostering leadership dialogue, the conference aims to support the evolving needs of developers—big and small—through a period of rapid technological and market transformation.