Frederik Hammes, who succeeded Stephan Reichart as managing director of Gamescom Dev earlier this year, points to the latest Gamescom Dev speaker survey as clear evidence that today’s most promising market segment belongs to smaller development studios. According to Hammes, the data underscores a shift in the industry: independent teams, often operating with just a handful of people, are now positioned to capture a significant share of future growth. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explained to GamesIndustry.biz. "Even if your studio consists of three developers, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, marketing, and all the other non‑technical aspects that keep the company afloat.
I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access everything they need—production expertise, coding techniques, artistic direction, design theory, and, crucially, guidance on running a sustainable business. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals remain indispensable." The event itself underwent a major transformation in August 2025 when Devcom was rebranded as Gamescom Dev, effectively extending the traditional Gamescom experience into a full‑week programme.
Hammes believes this integration brings tangible benefits for exhibitors and attendees alike. "The case for aligning more closely with Gamescom is compelling," he said. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which opens up numerous practical advantages. Previously, we operated two separate conferences with distinct ticketing systems, which could be confusing for newcomers.
Today, everything is consolidated under a single ticketing platform. Visitors purchase one pass and gain access to the entire Gamescom business week—from Monday through Friday—allowing them to move seamlessly between the two events." This year’s schedule is ambitious, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages.
Yet Hammes cautions that success should not be measured solely by numbers. "It shouldn't become a numbers game," he noted.
"Our aim isn’t to hit arbitrary attendance targets; it’s about matching supply with demand. We’re seeing a trend toward greater specialization, and that’s a healthy sign of a maturing ecosystem." One logistical challenge remains the venue itself. The Confex Center at Koelnmesse, while adequate for the current scale, offers limited capacity for future expansion. Hammes acknowledges that if the industry continues on its rapid trajectory, the event may need to relocate or physically integrate more closely with the main Gamescom site.
"At the moment we’re not planning a massive enlargement because that would entail a more complex move toward the main Gamescom grounds—a possibility we’re keeping under review. If the democratization of game development continues—if small studios keep proliferating—we’ll eventually need more space to accommodate everyone." Gamescom Dev traces its origins back to 2017, when it was launched to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) naturally competes for a similar audience, Hammes stresses that the relationship is more collaborative than adversarial.
"We’re separate entities, each with our own business model," he said. "Everyone wants to be profitable, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to the next, sharing ideas and building networks.
It’s not about wiping out the competition; it’s about all of us thriving together. Currently, GDC is facing some logistical challenges due to external circumstances, and we sincerely hope those issues resolve quickly.
When all conferences succeed, the whole sector benefits." A noteworthy addition to this year’s agenda is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—where they can speak candidly about the turbulent market conditions. "The purpose isn’t merely to listen; it’s to speak up and exchange ideas," Hammes explained. "During the inaugural summit, we did a quick poll: every participant raised their hand when asked if they had delivered bad news to their team in the past year, and the same hands stayed up when asked if they’d received bad news themselves.
It’s a stark reminder of how challenging the current climate is. Leaders often feel pressure to project confidence and stability, but we wanted to create a safe space where they could be honest about their concerns and strategize openly." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative force in the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to cultivate. "What does that tell us?" Hammes reflected.
"Either we’re over‑hyping AI’s impact or we’re under‑preparing for it. In reality, the most critical competency emerging from the data is leadership—27 % of respondents identified it as the key skill. This suggests that industry professionals recognize change is inevitable, but they don’t expect technology alone to solve every problem. They’re looking for leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, make strategic decisions, and foster a culture that can adapt to rapid innovation." In summary, Hammes envisions a future where small studios drive much of the industry’s growth, supported by events like Gamescom Dev that blend technical education with business mentorship.
By maintaining a flexible venue strategy, fostering collaboration rather than competition with rival conferences, and prioritizing leadership development, Gamescom Dev aims to remain a pivotal platform for the global game‑development community.