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 opportunity lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while a compact team can punch above its weight creatively and technically, the necessity of handling the business side never disappears. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he says. "Even if you’re a three‑person studio, someone still has to manage contracts, budgets, and marketing.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where you can gather production know‑how, coding expertise, creative direction, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a company. No matter how advanced the technology gets, solid business acumen stays crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the broader Gamescom experience into a full‑week programme. Hammes believes the closer alignment with Gamescom offers tangible benefits for attendees and partners alike. "The case for tying the two events together is compelling," he notes.
"We now have a powerful partner behind us, which brings a host of advantages. Practically speaking, it simplifies things for newcomers. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little integration. Now there is a single ticket portal that gives you access to everything—from the industry talks to the main Gamescom exhibition—Monday through Friday.
If you buy a ticket, you can move freely between the two events for the entire week." This year’s programme is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions that success isn’t measured purely by numbers. "It shouldn’t be a numbers game," he emphasizes. "We’re not chasing a specific quota of talks or attendees.
It’s about matching supply with demand, and we’re seeing the market become more specialised." One practical limitation, however, is the venue. Gamescom Dev currently occupies the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, a space that, while adequate for now, leaves little room for significant expansion. Hammes acknowledges that if the industry’s growth trajectory continues, the event may eventually need to relocate or physically merge more closely with Gamescom.
"At the moment we’re not planning a massive enlargement because that would require a move nearer to Gamescom, which is a possibility we’re keeping under review," he says. "If the trend toward smaller studios and the democratisation of game creation persists, we’ll need more capacity to accommodate everyone." Devcom was launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe.
Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he highlights a sense of community that transcends individual events.
"We’re still separate organisations," he explains. "Everyone wants to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t as cut‑throat as some might think.
The industry is like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge rather than trying to eliminate each other. When one event thrives, the whole ecosystem benefits. Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges due to external conditions, and we hope those improve soon. If all conferences succeed, the industry as a whole wins." A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private setting—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," Hammes says. "I was present when we first held one.
We asked the room how many had to deliver bad news that year, and every hand went up. When we asked how many had received bad news about their own company, the same result.
The environment is undeniably tough right now. We want to give leaders a safe space to be candid, because at that level people often feel pressured to project confidence and stability, even when the reality is far more complex." 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. "How do we interpret that?
Either we over‑estimate AI’s impact or we under‑prepare for it," Hammes reflects. "In truth, the most critical skill isn’t technical at all—it’s leadership. 27 % of respondents identified leadership as the key competency.
That tells us we recognise change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We’re looking for people who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and inspire confidence." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are gaining prominence, the need for business savvy remains, and leadership is emerging as the most valuable asset in navigating future challenges. Gamescom Dev aims to support this evolution by providing a comprehensive platform where creators can learn, network, and grow, all within a single, streamlined event.