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 clear evidence that the most promising opportunities in today’s gaming market are emerging from smaller development studios. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," Hammes explains to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio consists of just three people, someone still has to handle the commercial side of things. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business acumen remains crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was renamed Gamescom Dev in August 2025, a change that effectively stretches the Gamescom experience into a full week of activities. Hammes believes the rebranding strengthens the connection between the two gatherings. "The case for aligning more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he says.
"We now have a powerful partner on our side, which brings numerous practical benefits. Previously, attendees had to navigate two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and two distinct purchase processes, with little overlap between the programs. Now everything is consolidated under a single ticketing platform. Visitors can buy one pass and enjoy everything from Monday through Friday, moving seamlessly between Gamescom Dev and the main Gamescom exhibition." This year’s agenda features an impressive roster: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages.
Hammes cautions, however, that success shouldn’t be measured purely by numbers. "It isn’t a numbers game.
We don’t aim to hit arbitrary attendance targets. Instead, we focus on supply and demand dynamics and notice the market becoming more specialized," he notes. A practical limitation for the event is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present program, Hammes admits that there is "limited room to grow" within those walls. Should the gaming sector continue its rapid expansion, the conference may need to consider a larger footprint or even a closer physical integration with the main Gamescom site. "Our current plan isn’t to dramatically enlarge the event because that would require a more substantial logistical shift, possibly moving nearer to Gamescom itself.
If the trend toward smaller studios and the democratization of game development persists, we’ll inevitably need more space to serve a broader audience," he explains. 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 demographic and covers comparable topics, Hammes prefers to view the relationship as collaborative rather than competitive. "There’s a strong sense of community behind the scenes," he says.
"We’re separate entities, each trying to generate revenue, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry functions like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to the next, sharing knowledge and building networks.
If all conferences thrive, the whole ecosystem benefits." He also acknowledges the challenges GDC is currently facing due to external circumstances, expressing hope for improvement: "Our colleagues at GDC are dealing with issues beyond their control, and I sincerely wish them a swift recovery. When everyone succeeds, the sector as a whole advances." A notable new feature on the Gamescom Dev schedule is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. Hammes stresses the importance of such safe spaces: "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas.
I was present when we first tried this format. We asked participants to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news during the year, and every hand went up.
When we asked who had heard bad news about their own company, the hands stayed raised. The climate is undeniably tricky right now. Leaders often feel compelled to project confidence, but we need a venue where they can be candid about 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 to cultivate. Hammes interprets this discrepancy as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t steer the industry through upcoming changes. "You might think we’re either overestimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the reality is different. The survey shows that 27 % of respondents view leadership as the most critical skill.
In other words, we recognize that 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," he concludes. Overall, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a catalyst for smaller studios to thrive, a forum where business and creativity intersect, and a platform that adapts alongside an industry increasingly defined by agility, leadership, and collaborative growth.