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 today’s most promising market segment lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while a compact team can stretch its creative and technical muscles further than ever before, the need for solid business management does not disappear. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes says.
"Even if your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, and the day‑to‑day administrative tasks. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access production know‑how, programming expertise, design insights, and creative feedback—all while learning the fundamentals of running a sustainable business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, those business fundamentals stay crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now essentially extends the traditional Gamescom week into a full‑fledged industry festival. Hammes believes that aligning the two events brings significant strategic benefits. "The case for integrating more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he notes. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which offers many practical advantages.
For attendees who may be unfamiliar with the separate conferences, the new structure simplifies everything: there is a single ticketing platform, a unified schedule, and the ability to move freely between the Gamescom Dev programme and the main Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday." This year’s programme features an impressive lineup of 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "We don’t aim to hit arbitrary attendance targets; the focus is on matching supply with demand.
The market is becoming more specialised, and we want the content to reflect that nuance," he explains. One logistical challenge Hammes acknowledges is the physical limitation of the current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present scale of Gamescom Dev, there is little room for significant expansion. "If the industry continues on its current trajectory, we may eventually need a larger footprint or a location even closer to the main Gamescom site," he says. "At the moment, we are not planning a massive enlargement because that would require a more substantial logistical commitment. However, if the democratization of game development continues—if more indie and micro‑studios emerge—we will need additional space to serve that growing community." Gamescom Dev was originally launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe.
Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) shares a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he highlights a collaborative spirit that pervades the industry.
"We’re separate organisations, each with our own business goals, but there’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he remarks. "The industry isn’t a zero‑sum game. When one conference thrives, it lifts the whole ecosystem. Right now, GDC is facing some challenges related to its operating environment, and we hope those issues improve soon.
Success across all events ultimately benefits everyone." A noteworthy addition to this year’s schedule is the introduction of Leadership Summits—intimate, one‑day gatherings where senior executives can speak candidly without the presence of press, microphones, or recordings. Hammes stresses the importance of providing a safe environment for industry leaders to discuss the turbulent market conditions.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he says. "During the inaugural summit, every participant raised their hand when asked if they had delivered bad news to their teams this year—an unsettling but honest snapshot of the current climate.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability, so these closed‑door sessions give them a space to be vulnerable and to seek collective guidance." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on the role of artificial intelligence in gaming. 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 developers need to acquire. Hammes interprets this discrepancy as a sign that technical expertise alone will not drive success. "The data suggests we either overestimate AI’s impact or under‑prepare for it," he observes.
"In reality, the most critical skill highlighted by respondents is leadership—27 % named it as the most important. This tells us that the industry recognises change is inevitable, but the solution isn’t a new tool; it’s strong leadership that can navigate the transition and guide teams through uncertainty." Overall, Hammes’s outlook paints a picture of an industry in flux, where smaller studios hold a disproportionate amount of growth potential, and where the ability to manage both creative ambitions and business realities is paramount. Gamescom Dev aims to serve as a comprehensive platform that equips developers—whether they are three‑person teams or larger studios—with the knowledge, connections, and leadership insights needed to thrive in an increasingly complex market. By fostering collaboration, offering practical education, and creating safe spaces for honest dialogue, the event positions itself as a vital catalyst for the next wave of innovation in gaming.