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 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 the business side remains essential," he explains to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the myriad administrative tasks that keep the operation afloat.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative guidance, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business. Technology may evolve rapidly, but solid business practices are still the backbone of success." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the larger Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience dedicated to development.
Hammes believes this alignment brings significant benefits. "The case for tighter integration with Gamescom is compelling," he says. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which simplifies matters 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 Monday through Friday.
If you purchase a ticket, you can also wander over to the main Gamescom exhibitions without needing an additional pass." This year’s program features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers game.
"We shouldn’t chase arbitrary targets; it’s always about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialized, and we aim to reflect that in our programming rather than simply inflating headcounts," he notes. One practical limitation Hammes acknowledges is the venue itself—the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the current layout accommodates the event, there is "limited room to grow" within those walls.
Should the industry continue its upward trajectory, the conference may need to consider a larger footprint or a closer physical relationship with the main Gamescom fair. "We are not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a more complex logistical shift, potentially moving nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues—if small studios keep proliferating—we’ll eventually need more space to serve everyone adequately," he explains. Gamescom Dev traces its origins to 2017, filling 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. "There’s a genuine sense of community behind the scenes," he says. "We’re separate entities, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is a global circus in the best possible way—people travel from one conference to the next, sharing ideas and fostering growth.
If all conferences thrive, the whole ecosystem benefits." He also comments on recent challenges faced by GDC, noting that external factors have created difficulties for the event. "Our colleagues at GDC are dealing with issues beyond their control, and I sincerely hope conditions improve for them.
When one conference does well, it lifts the entire sector," Hammes adds. A fresh feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings provide top‑level executives a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market.
Hammes stresses the importance of such a "safe space" for candid conversation. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives. When we opened the first summit, every hand went up when we asked who had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed up when we asked who had received bad news for their own company. The climate is undeniably tricky right now.
Leaders often feel compelled to project confidence, but we need a setting where they can admit vulnerability and seek collective solutions." The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of presenters believe AI will be the most transformative development over the next three years, only 11 % rank AI literacy as the top skill to cultivate. Hammes interprets this disparity. "It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he says.
"My conclusion is that neither is true. When you ask what skill truly matters, 27 % point to leadership as the most critical.
That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We’re looking for leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, who can translate vision into action, and who can help the industry navigate the inevitable disruptions ahead."