Record turnout at Koelnmesse’s Confex
Devcom 2025 wrapped in Cologne with its biggest edition yet. Organizers reported 5,400 registered attendees, a six percent jump year over year. Visitors represented more than 2,500 companies from 89 countries, turning the Confex Center into a global hub for developers and partners for three packed days. On the expo floor, 53 exhibitors showed tools, services, and playable projects that kept the aisles busy from morning to evening.
The conference strengthened its position as one of Europe’s largest developer events by scale and reach. Long lines for popular talks, a steady crowd at the indie expo, and a visible mix of first-timers and returning teams gave the show a lively feel from opening to close.
A new identity: devcom becomes gamescom dev
The other headline is the name change. Starting in October 2025, the conference will be known as gamescom dev. The new identity places the event firmly at the center of the gamescom brand family while keeping the same team, venue, and mission. For attendees and partners, the change is meant to make the path from developer talks at Confex to the show floor at gamescom clearer and more connected.
Organizers said the rename reflects what the conference has already become during gamescom week. It is the place where developers begin their week, share lessons, and set the tone before the public show opens.
A program built for real talk and practical ideas
This year’s schedule stretched across 17 stages with 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions. The mix balanced craft deep dives with honest leadership stories. Sessions covered narrative and systems design, production under pressure, UX and accessibility, audio, live ops, and studio culture. Attendees regularly left stages comparing notes and swapping ideas in the foyers, a sign that the program hit the right level of detail for working teams.
Crowd-drawing highlights included a postmortem from the creators of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, a look at the hands-on interactivity in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, lessons from the combat design of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, reflections on a 25-year career from Counter-Strike co-creator Minh Le, and a behind-the-scenes look at how Helldivers 2 builds a living galactic war. The crossover story of Viva La Dirt League moving from YouTube comedy to indie development also drew a curious room.
Community energy on and off the stages
Devcom’s community focus remained visible all week. The conference opened with a Sunday welcome for speakers and VIPs that included local tours and a relaxed reception. Business and VIP mixers ran on both conference days and helped teams set meetings for the rest of the week. Monday night’s outdoor Sunset Mixer brought everyone together before Developer Night at Herbrand’s turned the hand-off toward gamescom.
The debut of the devcom award celebrated the indie expo and honored standout speakers across six categories. Scholarships supported wider access again this year, with partners helping 220 participants attend on-site or online. Those efforts, combined with more interactive formats and roundtables, kept conversations open to newcomers while still serving senior leaders.
What the numbers say about the industry mood
Sessions and hallway chats pointed to an industry that is still navigating a tough market but finding smart ways forward. Teams talked about tighter scoping, cleaner pipelines, and healthier leadership habits. Tool providers leaned into faster iteration and lower costs. Many speakers encouraged validating ideas earlier with players, using Early Access where it fits, and protecting teams from burnout to make better games.
What comes next
The next stop in the series is executive-focused. The devcom Leadership Summit returns in Lisbon from February 25 to 27, 2026 at SUD Lisboa. Next August the full conference returns to Cologne under its new name, gamescom dev. Expect the same Confex home base, a bigger program, and an even tighter link to the gamescom week that follows.
Devcom 2025 delivered growth, substance, and a clear direction. The record crowd showed the demand for practical knowledge and real talk. The new name, gamescom dev, signals a closer connection to the world’s biggest games festival. For developers, the message is simple. Cologne remains the place to learn from peers, make new partners, and set up the week that defines the industry’s biggest stories.
