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 today’s most promising market segment belongs to smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a three‑person team must still allocate resources to business operations. He believes Gamescom Dev should serve as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming insights, development best practices, creative direction, design fundamentals, and, crucially, guidance on running a sustainable business despite rapid technological advances. The event, originally known as Devcom until its rebranding in August 2025, now operates under the Gamescom Dev banner, effectively extending the renowned Gamescom experience into a full‑week affair.
Hammes explains that aligning the two conferences brings clear advantages: "We now have a strong partner in Gamescom, which simplifies matters for attendees. Previously, there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little cohesion.
Today, there is a single ticket portal that grants access to everything—from the industry talks to the broader Gamescom schedule—Monday through Friday." This year’s programme features an impressive lineup of 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers‑driven competition.
"It’s not about hitting arbitrary targets; it’s about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming increasingly specialized, and we aim to reflect that in our content rather than simply expanding for its own sake," he says. One practical limitation Hammes identifies is the venue itself.
The Confex Center at Koelnmesse currently accommodates the event, but its capacity leaves little room for significant growth. He notes that if the gaming sector continues on its current trajectory, the conference may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue. "We’re not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a more complex physical integration with Gamescom. However, if the democratization of game development continues—if smaller studios keep proliferating—we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone effectively," he adds.
Gamescom Dev traces its origins 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 shares a similar audience and thematic focus, Hammes stresses that he views the two events as complementary rather than competitive. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes. Both conferences aim to generate revenue, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry functions like a global circus where professionals travel from one event to another. Success for one conference benefits the entire ecosystem." He also acknowledges the challenges faced by GDC at present, attributing them to external environmental factors beyond the organizers’ control.
"We hope the situation improves for our colleagues at GDC. If everyone thrives, the whole industry benefits," Hammes says.
A notable addition to this year’s schedule is the introduction of Leadership Summits—intimate, one‑day gatherings where senior industry figures can converse without the presence of press, microphones, or recordings. Hammes underscores the importance of providing a "safe space" for leaders to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas.
When we asked participants to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news in the past year, every hand went up. The same response came when we asked about hearing bad news about their companies. The environment is undeniably challenging, and leaders often feel pressured to project confidence. These summits allow them to drop that façade and engage candidly." The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion 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 interprets this discrepancy as a signal that technical expertise alone won’t suffice.
"The most critical skill, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership. This suggests that industry players recognize impending change but are not looking for a technological silver bullet. They need leaders who can navigate uncertainty and guide teams through transition," he explains. In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in flux, where small studios are emerging as the engine of growth, and where the ability to manage both creative and business dimensions is paramount.
Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a consolidated platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and leadership development—while remaining mindful of logistical constraints and the broader health of the global gaming community.