Frederik Hammes, who succeeded Stephan Reichart as the managing director of Gamescom Dev earlier this year, points to the latest Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that today’s most promising market segment lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that while lean teams can accomplish a great deal, the necessity of handling the commercial side of the operation never disappears. "Even a three‑person studio still needs someone to manage contracts, budgets, and marketing," he explains. "Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative guidance, design insights, and also practical business education.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, understanding how to run a sustainable business remains critical." The event, formerly known as Devcom until its rebranding in August 2025, now operates under the Gamescom Dev banner and effectively extends the main Gamescom experience into a full‑week program. Hammes believes that aligning the two events brings clear advantages. "Being closer to Gamescom gives us a powerful partner and simplifies logistics for attendees," he says.
"Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little integration. Now 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 broader Gamescom exhibition." This year’s schedule features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions that success should not be measured solely by numbers. "We don’t want to chase arbitrary attendance targets; it’s about matching supply with demand," he notes.
"The market is becoming more specialized, and we aim to curate content that truly serves the needs of developers, especially those smaller teams that are driving innovation." One practical limitation Hammes mentions is the physical capacity of the venue – the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current layout accommodates the event, there is little room for significant expansion without relocating or redesigning the space. "We aren’t planning a massive scale‑up right now because that would require us to move closer to the main Gamescom site, which is a possibility for the future," he explains.
"If the trend toward democratized game creation continues, we’ll eventually need more space to host the growing community of indie and micro‑studios." Gamescom Dev traces its origins 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, Hammes stresses that the two events coexist rather than compete.
"Both conferences serve the same global industry, but they have distinct cultures and objectives," he says. "The industry isn’t a zero‑sum game; when one conference thrives, the whole ecosystem benefits. We’ve heard that GDC is currently facing challenges due to external circumstances, and we hope those issues resolve quickly. A healthy, diverse conference landscape is good for everyone." A notable new feature on 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 sector’s turbulent climate. "The purpose is not just to listen but to speak openly and exchange ideas," Hammes says. "During the inaugural summit, every participant raised their hand when asked whether they had delivered bad news in the past year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they had received bad news themselves.
It’s a clear sign that many leaders are navigating difficult circumstances. By offering a safe space, we encourage honesty and collaborative problem‑solving, rather than the usual pressure to project unwavering confidence." The speaker survey also revealed a split view 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. "That gap suggests we may be over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes observes.
"In reality, the data shows that leadership tops the list of essential skills, with 27 % of respondents selecting it as the most important. This indicates that the industry recognizes change is inevitable, but it is not technology alone that will guide us through it. We need leaders who can chart a course, inspire teams, and manage uncertainty." Overall, Hammes’s message is clear: the future of gaming lies in the agility and creativity of small studios, supported by strong leadership and a holistic understanding of both development and business.
Gamescom Dev aims to nurture this ecosystem by providing education, networking, and a platform where indie creators can learn from seasoned professionals while also sharing their own innovative approaches. As the event continues to evolve, its success will depend on balancing growth with the intimate, community‑focused atmosphere that has made it a valuable complement to the larger Gamescom experience.