Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the findings of the Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most promising segment of the gaming market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes explained to GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, and the myriad administrative tasks that keep the operation afloat. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can soak up production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side stays crucial." The event, formerly known as Devcom until its rebranding in August 2025, has been integrated more closely with the main Gamescom week, effectively extending the flagship trade fair into a full‑week programme. Hammes believes the alignment brings tangible benefits. "The case for tying the two events together is compelling," he said.
"We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which simplifies the experience for attendees. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them.
Today there is a single ticket portal that grants access to everything—from the industry talks to the broader Gamescom exhibition—from Monday through Friday." This year’s edition features an impressive roster of 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "We shouldn't chase arbitrary targets; it's always about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialised, and we aim to reflect that in the programme rather than simply inflating the schedule," he remarked.
A practical constraint on further expansion is the venue itself: the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current layout accommodates the event, Hammes acknowledges that space is limited.
"There isn’t a lot of room for growth in the existing hall," he noted. "If the industry continues on its present trajectory, we may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue to host the increasing number of participants and exhibitors." He added, "Our current plan isn’t to dramatically enlarge the event right now because that would require a more complex logistical shift, potentially relocating nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues—if small studios keep proliferating—we’ll inevitably need more space to serve everyone effectively." Gamescom Dev traces its origins back 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 (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view the two as direct competitors.
"There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he said. "We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the competition isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas and building relationships.
If all events thrive, the whole sector benefits." Hammes also expressed empathy for GDC’s recent challenges, noting that external factors beyond their control have created difficulties for the conference. "I hope the situation improves for them, and for everyone in the ecosystem," he added. A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the introduction of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the current turbulence in the market. Hammes emphasised the importance of such a "safe space" for candid dialogue.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives," he explained. "When we first held a summit, every participant raised their hand to acknowledge delivering bad news that year, and the same hands stayed up when asked if they had received bad news themselves. The environment is undeniably tough right now. Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability, but we need a forum where they can be honest about challenges." The speaker survey also highlighted a split opinion 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. Hammes interpreted this disparity as a sign that the sector may be over‑estimating AI’s impact while under‑preparing for it, or perhaps vice‑versa. "My conclusion is that it’s neither; the most critical skill, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership," he said. "That tells us we recognise change is coming.
We’re not looking for a technological silver bullet; we’re seeking leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty." In summary, Hammes envisions a future where small, agile studios drive innovation, and where industry events like Gamescom Dev evolve to support both the creative and business dimensions of game development. By fostering collaboration, offering comprehensive educational resources, and providing a platform for honest leadership discussion, Gamescom Dev aims to remain a pivotal meeting point for the global gaming community, even as it navigates space constraints and the rapidly shifting technological landscape.