Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the recent Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that the most promising growth area in the gaming industry today lies with smaller development studios. 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. "Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to handle contracts, finances and marketing," he says.
"Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop hub where developers can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative guidance and design insight, while also learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. Technology is vital, but without a sound commercial strategy you won’t survive in the long term." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now essentially extends the main Gamescom exhibition into a full‑week programme.
Hammes believes the closer alignment with the flagship Gamescom brand brings clear advantages. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which simplifies things for attendees," he notes. "Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems and little cohesion.
Today there is a single ticket portal, and anyone who buys a pass can move freely between the Gamescom Dev sessions and the broader Gamescom schedule from Monday through Friday. It creates a seamless experience for visitors who may be unfamiliar with the former format." This year’s lineup features 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers game. "It’s not about hitting arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals," he says.
"It’s about matching supply with demand and acknowledging that the industry is becoming increasingly specialised. We want quality and relevance, not just volume." One practical constraint on the event’s expansion is the size of its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present programme, Hammes admits there is "limited room to grow" within those walls. Should the industry continue its rapid trajectory, the organisers may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger facility. "We are not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a significant logistical shift," he explains. "However, if the democratization of game development continues—more indie teams, more diverse tools—we will eventually need more room to serve everyone." 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 does not view it as a direct competitor. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he says. "Both events are run by different organisations, and while everyone wants to be profitable, the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry functions like a global circus—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge and networking.
If one event thrives, it lifts the whole ecosystem. We’re aware that GDC is currently facing challenges due to external conditions, and we hope they recover quickly." A notable new feature for this edition is the Leadership Summit series. These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent state of the market. Hammes emphasizes the importance of such "safe spaces" for candid dialogue.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he remarks. "When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to admit they had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they had received bad news themselves.
The industry is navigating a tricky climate, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. By offering a confidential setting, we encourage openness and honest reflection." The speaker survey also revealed 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 sign that technical expertise alone won’t drive success.
"You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the real takeaway is that leadership tops the list of critical skills, at 27 % of respondents," he says. "The industry recognises change is coming, but it isn’t looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions and inspire confidence. In other words, people—not just tools—will determine how well we adapt to the AI era."