Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the findings of the recent Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that independent, smaller‑scale studios now represent the most significant growth prospect in the video‑game market. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio is just three people, someone still has to handle the administrative side.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where you can access production expertise, programming know‑how, development insights, creative direction, design guidance, and also learn the fundamentals of running a business. No matter how advanced the technology gets, the business side stays crucial." The event, formerly known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, a change Hammes says effectively stretches the Gamescom experience across an entire week. "There are strong arguments for aligning more closely with Gamescom," he explained.
"We now have a massive, powerful partner on our side, which brings a host of advantages. Practically speaking, it simplifies things for newcomers.
Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticket types, two purchasing systems, and very little connection between them. Now everything is consolidated into a single ticketing platform.
Attendees can buy one pass and enjoy everything from Monday through Friday, including the main Gamescom exhibition." This edition of Gamescom Dev features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread over 17 stages. Hammes cautions that success should not be measured purely by numbers.
"It shouldn't be a numbers game. We don't need to hit arbitrary attendance targets. It's always about supply and demand. We're seeing the market become more specialised," he noted.
The event's current home, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, imposes a ceiling on how much the conference can expand. While the venue comfortably accommodates the present programme, Hammes acknowledges that "there is limited room to grow".
Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider a larger space or a tighter integration with the main Gamescom venue. "At the moment we aren't planning a massive enlargement because that would require a more physical proximity to Gamescom, which is a possibility we are keeping under review. If the trend toward smaller studios and the democratisation of game development persists, we will eventually need more capacity to serve everyone," Hammes said.
Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left when GDC Europe ceased operations. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. He emphasises the collaborative spirit that exists behind the scenes. "We are still separate organisations," he remarked.
"Everyone wants to make a profit, but the atmosphere isn’t as cut‑throat as one might imagine. The industry is like a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing ideas rather than trying to eliminate each other.
When all conferences thrive, the whole sector benefits. Our friends at GDC are currently dealing with challenges beyond their control due to the environment they operate in, and I sincerely hope their situation improves." A fresh addition to the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits. These one‑day gatherings give senior executives a private space—free from press, microphones, or recordings—to discuss the current turbulence in the gaming market.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging views," Hammes explained. "I was present when the first summit launched.
We asked for a show of hands: who had delivered bad news that year? Every hand went up.
Who had heard bad news about their own company? Again, every hand stayed raised. The environment is undeniably tricky right now.
We want to provide a safe venue for leaders to be candid, because at senior levels there’s often pressure to project confidence and stability, which can stifle honest conversation." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of presenters believe AI will be the most transformative development for the industry over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to acquire. "How do we interpret that?
It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact, or we’re under‑preparing for it," Hammes reflected. "My conclusion is that neither is entirely accurate. When you ask what skill truly matters most, the answer is leadership—27 % of respondents said it’s the key competency. This tells us that we recognise change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need leaders who can guide us through the transition and show us how to adapt." In summary, Hammes sees Gamescom Dev as an evolving platform that not only showcases cutting‑edge development techniques but also equips indie and mid‑size studios with the business acumen required to thrive. By consolidating tickets, expanding the schedule, and fostering a collaborative atmosphere with other major conferences, Gamescom Dev aims to support the next wave of game creators—especially those small teams that are poised to drive the industry forward.