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 gaming market offers its greatest potential to smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a three‑person team must still allocate resources to business management, underscoring that creative and technical prowess alone are insufficient for sustainable success.
"You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. "If you’re a trio, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and partnerships. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can tap into production expertise, coding techniques, creative direction, design insights, and also learn how to run the business side of things.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, solid business fundamentals stay crucial." The event, originally known as Devcom, was rebranded to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, a move Hammes says effectively extends the reach of the flagship Gamescom festival into a full‑week experience. "Aligning more closely with Gamescom makes a lot of sense," he notes. "We now have a powerful partner behind us, which brings numerous advantages. Practically speaking, it simplifies things for attendees who might have been confused before.
Previously there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little integration. Now there’s a single ticket portal that gives you access to everything—from the Dev program to the main Gamescom exhibition—from Monday through Friday." This year’s schedule is impressive, featuring 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Yet Hammes cautions against treating the event as a mere numbers game.
"It’s not about hitting a target attendance figure; it’s about matching supply with demand. We’re seeing the market become more specialized, and the program reflects that shift," he says. A practical limitation, however, is the venue itself. The Confex Center at Koelnmesse, which currently houses Gamescom Dev, is nearing capacity.
While the event fits within the space for now, Hammes acknowledges that “there is limited room to grow.” Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the conference may need to consider moving physically closer to the main Gamescom grounds or finding a larger site. "We’re not planning a massive expansion right now because that would require a more substantial logistical effort and possibly a relocation closer to Gamescom. If the democratization of game development—where smaller studios gain more influence—continues, we’ll inevitably need more space to accommodate everyone." Devcom was launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) targets a similar audience and covers comparable topics, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor.
Instead, he highlights a sense of community that exists behind the scenes. "We’re separate organizations, each aiming to generate revenue, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat.
The industry functions like a global circus in a positive way—people travel from one conference to another, sharing knowledge and networking. It’s not about eliminating other events; it’s about all of us thriving together." Hammes also comments on the current challenges facing GDC, noting that they are dealing with external issues beyond their control and expressing hope for an improvement in their situation. "We wish our colleagues at GDC the best and hope the environment they operate in gets better," he says.
A notable new feature of Gamescom Dev this year is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior industry figures with a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. Hammes stresses the importance of such a “safe space” for candid dialogue. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he explains.
"During the inaugural summit, we asked participants to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news in the past year—every hand went up. We then asked who had heard bad news about their own company—again, all hands stayed raised.
The current climate is tough, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. These summits let them be honest about challenges without fear of public scrutiny." The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion on artificial intelligence.
While 47 % of speakers 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. Hammes interprets this discrepancy as a sign that leadership, rather than technical proficiency alone, will be the decisive factor in navigating upcoming changes. "Some might argue we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he says.
"In reality, the most critical skill, according to 27 % of respondents, is leadership. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." Overall, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are gaining influence, conferences are consolidating for greater accessibility, and leadership development is emerging as the paramount need. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its role as a comprehensive resource—offering technical workshops, creative inspiration, and business education—remains central to supporting developers of all sizes in a rapidly shifting landscape.