Gamescom Dev head says smaller studios represent the biggest opportunity in the games market
Frederik Hammes, who took over from Stephan Reichart as managing director of Gamescom Dev this year, says the results of the Gamescom Dev speaker survey show that smaller studios represent the biggest opportunity in the games market right now. Read more
Frederik Hammes, now managing director of Gamescom Dev, believes smaller studios hold the key to the future of the games market, according to the results of a speaker survey. Hammes emphasizes that smaller studios can accomplish more with fewer people, but the business side of operations remains crucial. Hammes hopes that Gamescom Dev serves as a one-stop shop for production, coding, development, creative input, and design, along with guidance on business management.
The rebranding of Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025 effectively extends Gamescom to a full week, simplifying ticket purchasing and creating a stronger connection between the two conferences. With 390 speakers, 220 sessions, and 17 stages this year, Hammes maintains that growth is limited by the venue, Confex Center at Koelnmesse, and that the event may need to expand to adequately cater to the growing demand for smaller studio involvement.
Hammes also highlights the importance of leadership in navigating the challenges of the games industry, particularly in the context of the growing impact of artificial intelligence.
Written by urgent.news from GamesIndustry's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
