Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the recent Gamescom Dev speaker survey as clear evidence that today’s most promising market segment belongs to smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the day‑to‑day administration. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop shop where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, artistic 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, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively stretches the entire Gamescom week. Hammes explains that the rebranding was meant to integrate the two gatherings more tightly. "The case for aligning closer to Gamescom is compelling," he said.
"We now have a powerful, well‑established partner, which brings numerous practical benefits. Previously attendees had to navigate two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and two distinct purchasing processes, which made it confusing for newcomers.
Today there is a single ticket portal that grants access to everything—from the industry talks to the main Gamescom exhibition—from Monday through Friday. If you buy a ticket, you can simply walk over to Gamescom later in the week." This year’s programme features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers game.
"It’s not about hitting a specific quota of speakers or sessions. It’s about matching supply with demand and recognizing that the market is becoming more specialized," he noted.
However, the growth of Gamescom Dev is constrained by its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the existing schedule, Hammes acknowledges that there is "limited room to expand". Should the industry continue its rapid trajectory, the organisers may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue.
"Our current plan isn’t to dramatically increase the size of the event, because that would require a more substantial logistical effort and possibly a physical relocation nearer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development continues—if smaller studios keep proliferating—we’ll inevitably need more room to serve everyone," he explained. Devcom originally 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 competitor.
He emphasizes a sense of community behind the scenes. "We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus—in a positive sense—where professionals travel from one conference to another.
It isn’t about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together. When one conference faces challenges, like GDC’s recent venue and environmental issues, we hope the situation improves for everyone." A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day gatherings are deliberately designed without press, microphones, or recordings, providing senior executives a confidential environment to discuss the turbulent state of the market. Hammes stresses the importance of such a "safe space". "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas. I was present when we first tried this format.
We asked the room how many had delivered bad news that year, and every hand went up. When we asked how many had received bad news about their own company, the hands stayed raised. The climate is undeniably tough right now.
Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence, but we need a venue where they can be honest about the challenges they face." 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. Hammes interprets this disparity as a sign that the industry may be overestimating AI’s impact while under‑preparing for it, or perhaps the opposite. "My conclusion is that neither is entirely accurate," he said.
"When you ask what skill truly matters, 27 % point to leadership. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, who can translate vision into action, and who can help the whole ecosystem adapt." In summary, Hammes envisions a future where small studios drive the next wave of innovation, provided they have access to both technical mentorship and solid business education.
By consolidating Gamescom Dev with the broader Gamescom week, simplifying ticketing, and offering confidential leadership forums, the organisers aim to create an ecosystem that supports creators of all sizes. As the industry grapples with AI, market volatility, and rapid growth, the emphasis on strong, adaptable leadership may prove to be the most valuable asset for navigating the road ahead.