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 today’s gaming market lies with smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explained to GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if your studio is just three people, 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 you can pick up production know‑how, programming expertise, creative direction, design insights, and also learn the ropes of running a business. No matter how advanced the technology gets, the commercial side never disappears." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively stretches the entire Gamescom week. Hammes believes that aligning the two conferences creates a stronger, more cohesive experience for attendees.
"We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that brings a host of practical benefits. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them. Today there is a single ticket portal, a unified schedule, and the ability for participants to move seamlessly between Gamescom Dev sessions and the main Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday.
It simplifies planning and makes the whole week feel like one continuous business festival." This year’s program features 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game.
"We don’t aim to hit arbitrary attendance targets; it’s about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialized, and we want the content to reflect that specialization rather than simply inflating the schedule." One logistical constraint is the venue itself: the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current layout accommodates the event, Hammes admits there is "limited room to grow" within those walls. If the industry’s expansion continues at its current pace, the organizers may need to consider a larger space or a tighter integration with the main Gamescom site.
"We’re not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a physical move closer to Gamescom, which is a possibility we’re keeping on the table. If the democratization of game development continues—more indie teams, more micro‑studios—we’ll eventually need more room to serve everyone." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left when GDC Europe ceased operations. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
He emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the industry: "We’re separate companies, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The global conference circuit is more like a circus where everyone travels from one show to the next.
Success for one event lifts the whole ecosystem." He also expressed concern for GDC’s recent challenges, noting that external factors have created a difficult operating environment for the conference. "I hope conditions improve for them, because when all of us thrive, the industry as a whole benefits," he said. A fresh feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private forum—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly.
Hammes stresses the importance of such safe spaces: "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas. 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’d received bad news themselves. The current climate is undeniably tricky, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence.
These summits let them be candid, share struggles, and collectively brainstorm solutions." The speaker survey also revealed a split view on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of presenters believe AI will be the most transformative development over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill for professionals to acquire. Hammes interprets this gap not as over‑optimism or under‑preparation, but as an indication that leadership is the true priority. "27 % of respondents named leadership as the most critical skill.
That tells us the industry recognizes change is coming, but it isn’t looking for a technological silver bullet. It’s looking for people who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and inspire confidence." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, venue capacity may soon become a bottleneck, and the need for strong, communicative leadership outweighs pure technical expertise.
Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by offering a comprehensive platform where creators can learn both the craft of game development and the business acumen required to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.