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 segment of the games market lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that while a compact team can punch above its weight creatively and technically, the necessity of handling the business side of operations does not disappear. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to manage contracts, finances, and marketing.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can tap into production expertise, coding know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also gain practical guidance on running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals are still crucial." The event, which was formerly known as Devcom, underwent a rebranding in August 2025 to become Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the broader Gamescom experience into a full‑week affair. Hammes believes that aligning the two events creates a stronger, more cohesive offering for attendees. "There are compelling reasons to bring Gamescom Dev closer to Gamescom itself," he says.
"We now have a powerful partner behind us, which brings numerous advantages. From a practical standpoint, it simplifies things for people who may not be familiar with the separate conferences. Previously we ran two distinct events with separate ticketing systems and little integration. Now there is a single ticket portal, and everything you need is available in one place.
It’s essentially the Gamescom business week, running from Monday through Friday. If you purchase a ticket, you can also wander over to the main Gamescom exhibition until Friday." This year’s program features an impressive roster: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be measured solely by numbers.
"It shouldn’t be a numbers game," he notes. "We don’t need to hit arbitrary targets; it’s always about matching supply with demand. We’re seeing the market become more specialized, and that specialization is what drives value." One logistical challenge Hammes acknowledges is the capacity of the current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the event for now, he admits that there is "limited room to grow" and that future expansion may require a closer physical relationship with the main Gamescom site.
"At present we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would entail a larger logistical effort, potentially moving even nearer to Gamescom—a scenario we’re keeping under review," he says. "If the trend toward smaller studios and the democratization of game development continues, we’ll eventually need more floor space to serve a broader audience." Gamescom Dev was 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 demographic and covers comparable topics, Hammes prefers to view the two events as complementary rather than competitive.
"We’re separate organizations," he remarks. "Everyone wants to turn 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—where professionals travel from one conference to the next.
It isn’t about crushing other events to become the sole platform; it’s about all of us thriving together. When one conference faces challenges, like GDC’s current venue issues, we hope the situation improves for them as well. A healthy ecosystem benefits everyone." A fresh feature on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the introduction of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can discuss the current turbulence in the gaming market. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," Hammes says. "I was in the room when the first summit began.
We asked for a show of hands: who had delivered bad news within the past year? Every hand went up.
Then we asked who had heard bad news about their own company—again, every hand stayed raised. The environment is undeniably tough right now.
Leaders need a safe space to be vulnerable, because at senior levels there’s a pressure to project confidence and stability. These summits let them break that façade and discuss real challenges." 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 developers need to acquire.
"What does that tell us? It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes reflects.
"My reading is that neither is true. When you ask what skill truly matters most, 27 % say leadership tops the list.
That translates to: ‘We know change is coming. We’re not looking for a technological silver bullet; we’re looking for people who can guide us through it.’ In other words, the industry is seeking leaders who can chart a course through uncertainty, rather than simply mastering a new tool." Overall, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a growing platform that balances technical depth with business acumen, catering especially to the burgeoning community of indie and small‑team studios. By fostering collaboration, offering specialized content, and providing safe spaces for candid leadership dialogue, the event aims to support the next wave of innovators who will shape the future of gaming.