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 today’s gaming market offers its greatest potential to smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a three‑person team must still allocate someone to handle business affairs. He believes Gamescom Dev serves as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative guidance, design insight, and, crucially, instruction on running a sustainable business despite the rapid pace of technological change.
The event, formerly known as Devcom until its rebranding in August 2025, now functions as an extension of the broader Gamescom week. Hammes explains that aligning the two conferences under a single brand creates a stronger partnership and simplifies logistics for attendees. Previously, participants had to navigate two separate ticketing systems and event schedules, which often caused confusion. "Now there is a unified ticket shop," he says, "so anyone who purchases a pass can move freely between Gamescom Dev sessions from Monday through Friday and also attend the main Gamescom exhibition without needing a second ticket." This year’s programme boasts an impressive roster: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 distinct stages.
Hammes cautions, however, that the success of the event should not be measured merely by numbers. "It isn’t a numbers game; it’s about matching supply with demand and fostering specialization," he notes. He observes a trend toward more niche, highly focused content that reflects the evolving needs of the industry. A practical limitation for Gamescom Dev is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present scale of the conference, Hammes acknowledges that physical expansion options are limited. Should the industry continue its rapid growth trajectory, the organisers may need to consider relocating closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger venue altogether.
"We aren’t planning a massive expansion right now," he says, "but if the democratization of game development keeps accelerating—if smaller studios keep multiplying—we’ll eventually need more room to serve everyone." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 as a response to the disappearance of GDC Europe, aiming to fill the gap for European developers seeking a dedicated forum. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience, Hammes stresses that the two events coexist rather than compete. He highlights a sense of community behind the scenes, noting that both conferences contribute to a healthier, more vibrant global industry. "We’re separate companies, each looking to make a profit, but the competition isn’t cut‑throat.
It’s more like a circus where everyone travels from one show to the next, and the success of one benefits all," he remarks. He also expresses empathy for GDC’s current challenges, hoping the situation improves for their colleagues. A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the Leadership Summit series. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures with a press‑free environment to discuss the turbulent market conditions without the pressure of recording or media scrutiny.
Hammes believes such safe spaces are vital for candid dialogue. "It’s not about listening; it’s about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explains.
He recounts a recent summit where every participant raised their hand to acknowledge delivering bad news within the past year, underscoring the difficulty leaders face in projecting confidence while navigating uncertainty. The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion on artificial intelligence (AI). While 47 % of presenters anticipate AI will be the most transformative development over the next three years, only 11 % rank AI literacy as the top skill developers need to acquire. Hammes interprets this discrepancy as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t drive success.
Instead, 27 % of respondents identified leadership as the most critical capability. "We recognize that change is coming, but we aren’t looking for a technological silver bullet. We need leaders who can guide teams through that change," he says. In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are poised to capture a sizable share of market growth, yet they must balance creative ambition with solid business fundamentals.
Gamescom Dev aims to support this balance by offering comprehensive education, networking, and leadership development—all within a streamlined, single‑ticket experience that bridges the gap between the dev‑focused conference and the larger Gamescom exhibition. As the sector continues to evolve, the event’s organisers remain vigilant, prepared to adapt venue size, programming focus, and collaborative initiatives to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse and democratized developer community.