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 today’s most promising market segment belongs to smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that while a compact team can punch above its weight creatively and technically, the need to handle the commercial side of the business never disappears.
"Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to manage contracts, budgets, and marketing," he says. "Gamescom Dev aims to be a one‑stop hub where indie creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, design insight, and also practical lessons on running a sustainable business.
Despite all the advances in technology, solid business fundamentals remain crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now essentially stretches the larger Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience. Hammes believes aligning the two conferences brings clear advantages. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, and that partnership simplifies things for attendees," he notes.
"Previously, there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy. Today everything is consolidated under a single ticket portal, allowing participants to move seamlessly between the Dev programme and the main Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday." This year’s agenda is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a pure numbers game.
"Success isn’t about hitting arbitrary attendance targets; it’s about matching supply with demand," he asserts. "We’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization, with niche topics attracting highly engaged audiences rather than sheer volume driving value." Space constraints, however, pose a challenge. The conference currently occupies the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, a venue that is reaching its capacity limits. Hammes acknowledges that while the show fits comfortably for now, any continued industry growth may force organizers to consider expanding or relocating closer to the main Gamescom site.
"We’re not planning a massive expansion just yet because that would require a more permanent physical integration with Gamescom," he explains. "If the democratization of game development continues—if small studios keep proliferating—we’ll need additional room to accommodate everyone’s needs." Gamescom Dev traces its roots 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 shares a similar audience and topic focus, Hammes prefers to view the relationship as complementary rather than competitive. "Both events serve a global community and foster collaboration behind the scenes," he says.
"The industry isn’t a zero‑sum game; when one conference thrives, it lifts the whole ecosystem. We’ve heard that GDC is currently facing logistical challenges, and we hope those issues resolve quickly. A healthy, thriving conference circuit benefits everyone." A fresh feature on the 2025 schedule is the Leadership Summit series—single‑day, invitation‑only gatherings where senior industry figures can converse without press, microphones, or recordings.
Hammes emphasizes the importance of providing a “safe space” for candid dialogue amid today’s turbulent market conditions. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging perspectives," he remarks. "When we opened the first summit, every hand went up when we asked who had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed raised when we asked who had received bad news.
It’s a stark reminder of the difficulty leaders face in projecting confidence while navigating uncertainty. These summits give them a venue to be honest and seek collective solutions." The speaker survey also revealed a split view on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of participants 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 the gap as a signal that technical expertise alone won’t steer the industry through upcoming changes. "The data suggests we’re either overestimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he observes. "In reality, the most critical capability is leadership—27 % of respondents named it the foremost skill.
This tells us that the sector recognizes change is inevitable and is looking for people who can guide teams through it, rather than hoping a new tool will solve every problem." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry in transition: smaller studios are emerging as the engine of growth, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and leadership acumen is being prized over pure technical know‑how. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its mission remains to equip developers—big and small—with the knowledge, networks, and business insights needed to thrive in a rapidly shifting gaming landscape.