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 independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth opportunity in the video‑game market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes told GamesIndustry.biz. He explained that even a three‑person studio must assign someone to handle contracts, finances, and other administrative duties. "I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, design insight, creative feedback, and also practical guidance on running a business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the fundamentals of managing a company stay crucial." The event, which was renamed from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full‑week affair. Hammes said the rebranding was intended to bring the two gatherings closer together under a single banner. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which brings many practical benefits. Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them.
Today everything is consolidated: one ticket shop, one schedule, and attendees can move freely between Gamescom Dev sessions and the larger Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday." This year’s programme features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. While the numbers are impressive, Hammes cautioned that success should not be measured solely by quantity. "It isn’t a numbers game.
It’s about matching supply with demand and delivering specialised content that meets the audience’s needs," he said. He noted that the event is becoming increasingly niche‑focused, reflecting the diversification of the industry. However, the growth of Gamescom Dev is constrained by its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. The space accommodates the present scale but leaves little room for substantial expansion.
Hammes acknowledged that if the industry continues on its current trajectory, the conference may need to relocate closer to the main Gamescom site or find a larger facility. "We’re not planning a massive enlargement right now because that would require a physical move nearer to Gamescom, which is an option we’re keeping under review.
If the democratization of game development continues—more small teams, more indie projects—we’ll eventually need more capacity to serve everyone." 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, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. He highlighted a strong sense of community behind the scenes, saying, "We’re separate organisations, each aiming to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry functions like a global circus—people travel from one conference to the next, sharing knowledge rather than trying to eliminate each other. When one event faces challenges, such as the current environmental pressures on GDC, we all hope the situation improves because the health of one conference reflects the health of the whole ecosystem." A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series 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 volatile state of the market.
Hammes emphasized the need for a "safe space" where leaders can speak candidly about setbacks and uncertainties. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas. When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to acknowledge having delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when asked if they had received bad news themselves. The climate is tough, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence.
By offering a confidential forum, we encourage honest dialogue that can lead to better collective strategies." 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 interpreted this gap as a sign that the industry may be either overestimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it. He concluded that leadership, not technology, is the critical competency.
"27 % of respondents identified leadership as the most important skill. That tells us we recognise change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet. We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." In summary, Hammes sees Gamescom Dev as a vital platform for small studios to thrive, for industry professionals to acquire both creative and business expertise, and for senior leaders to navigate an increasingly complex market.
The conference’s integration with Gamescom, its focused programme, and its commitment to fostering open conversation position it as a cornerstone event in the evolving landscape of game development.