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 the most promising segment of the current games market lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes explains that even a tiny team can punch above its weight creatively and technically, but the need to handle the business side never disappears. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he says. "If you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to manage contracts, finances, and marketing.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where you can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a studio. No matter how advanced the technology gets, solid business acumen is still a cornerstone of success." The event, formerly known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, effectively extending the larger Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience dedicated to developers. Hammes believes that aligning the two events brings clear advantages. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which simplifies things for attendees.
Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little connection between them. Today it’s a single ticket shop; you buy one pass and you can move between the developer programme and the main Gamescom exhibition from Monday through Friday." This year’s programme features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions that the focus should not be on sheer numbers.
"It’s not a numbers game. We don’t set arbitrary targets for speaker counts or session totals. The market is becoming more specialised, and we aim to match supply with demand rather than chase inflated figures." Despite the ambitious agenda, the event’s growth is constrained by the physical limits of its venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse. Hammes notes that while the current layout accommodates the programme, there is "limited room to grow".
Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger space. "We’re not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a more permanent physical proximity to Gamescom, which is a possibility for the future. If the democratization of game development continues—more indie teams, more distributed talent—we’ll need additional capacity to serve everyone." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe.
Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a rival. He stresses a collaborative spirit within the industry, describing a "community behind the scenes" that transcends competition. "We’re separate organisations, each trying to make a living, but it’s not cut‑throat.
The industry is a global circus in a positive sense—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge. If every event thrives, the whole ecosystem benefits." Hammes also comments on the challenges facing GDC at the moment, noting that external factors have created difficulties for the conference.
He expresses hope for improvement, adding that a healthy, diverse conference landscape ultimately serves developers worldwide. A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private environment free from press, microphones, or recordings.
Hammes believes that such a "safe space" is crucial for candid discussions about the turbulent state of the market. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explains. "When we opened the first summit, every participant raised their hand to admit they had delivered bad news that year, and the same hands stayed up when asked if they had heard bad news about their own companies.
The environment is tough right now, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. We want a room where they can be honest about challenges and seek collective solutions." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers anticipate 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 disparity as a signal that technical expertise alone won’t navigate the upcoming changes. "You could argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it, but the real takeaway is that leadership tops the list of essential skills, at 27 %. It tells us that the industry recognises change is inevitable, but the answer isn’t new tools—it’s people who can guide teams through uncertainty." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of a vibrant, evolving developer community where small studios are poised to seize significant opportunities, provided they receive the right blend of creative, technical, and business support. Gamescom Dev aims to be that integrated platform, offering knowledge, networking, and leadership development under one roof, while remaining mindful of its physical constraints and the broader health of the global conference ecosystem.