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 independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth potential within the broader games market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains to GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle contracts, budgeting, marketing, and all the other administrative tasks that keep the operation afloat. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access everything they need—production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and, crucially, guidance on how to run a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the business side remains a cornerstone of success." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the reach of the flagship Gamescom festival into a full week of dedicated development content. Hammes believes this integration brings strategic advantages.
"The case for aligning more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he says. "We now have a powerful, well‑established partner on our side, which translates into tangible benefits for attendees. Practically speaking, the ticketing process is now streamlined: instead of juggling two separate conferences, two ticket types, and two purchasing systems, visitors can buy a single ticket that grants access to everything.
It becomes part of the larger Gamescom business week, running from Monday through Friday. If you purchase a pass, you can move freely between Gamescom Dev sessions and the main Gamescom exhibition until the end of the week." This year’s program is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game. "We shouldn't be fixated on hitting specific quantitative targets," he notes.
"Success is driven by supply and demand dynamics, and we’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization. The industry is fragmenting into niche areas where expertise matters more than sheer volume of presentations." Despite the robust lineup, the growth of Gamescom Dev is constrained by its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. While the space comfortably accommodates the present schedule, Hammes acknowledges that there is "limited room to expand" within those walls. "We aren’t planning a massive expansion right now because that would likely require us to move physically closer to the main Gamescom site, which is an option we’re keeping under review," he explains.
"If the democratization of game development continues—if smaller studios keep proliferating—we’ll eventually need more capacity to serve a broader audience." Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of the GDC Europe conference. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar demographic and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he emphasizes a collaborative spirit within the industry.
"We’re distinct organizations, each with our own mission," he says. "Everyone wants to be profitable, but the environment isn’t as cut‑throat as some might imagine. The global gaming community functions like a circus in the best sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge and building relationships.
It isn’t about eliminating other events; it’s about all of them thriving, which in turn lifts the entire industry. Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges that stem from external circumstances, not from any fault of their own, and we hope those issues improve soon." A notable new feature of the Gamescom Dev agenda is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private forum—free from press, microphones, and recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. "The aim isn’t just to listen; it’s to speak openly and exchange ideas," Hammes remarks.
"When we first held a summit, we asked participants to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news to their teams that year, and every hand went up. We asked the same question about receiving bad news, and again, every hand stayed raised. The climate is undeniably tough right now.
Leaders need a safe environment where they can admit vulnerability, because at senior levels there’s often pressure to project confidence and stability, even when the reality is more complex." The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion on artificial intelligence within the industry. 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 cultivate. "What does that tell us?
It suggests we either overestimate AI’s impact or under‑prepare for it," Hammes observes. "In my view, the answer is neither.
When you ask what skill truly matters most, 27 % of respondents point to leadership. That signals a consensus: we recognize that change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need leaders who can chart a course through uncertainty, guide teams, and foster adaptability." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: small studios are emerging as the engine of innovation, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and leadership—more than any specific technology—is the critical factor that will determine how successfully the sector navigates upcoming challenges. The next iteration of Gamescom Dev will likely continue to evolve, balancing the desire for growth with the practical limits of its venue, while maintaining its role as a central gathering point for developers seeking both technical insight and business acumen.