SHERIDAN, WYOMING – August 5, 2025 – The devcom developer conference 2025 is making strategic waves in the global games industry by tripling its roundtable offerings, expanding executive-level networking, and confirming more than 210 speakers ahead of its August 17–19 event in Cologne. Positioned as the official developer conference of gamescom, devcom continues to differentiate itself with a deeper emphasis on interactivity, leadership insights, and community-driven innovation.
Interactive Formats Take Center Stage
A standout shift for #ddc2025 is the dramatic expansion of its roundtable sessions—tripled from the previous year—to meet industry-wide demand for direct knowledge-sharing and peer engagement. These interactive formats are particularly attractive to developers, producers, and tech leads seeking solutions to shared workflow challenges.
New sessions will feature hands-on case studies such as:
- Michel Nohra (Sandfall Interactive) on reimagining turn-based RPG combat with real-time input mechanics.
- Zeke Virant (MachineGames) dissecting the GRIP system design in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
- Stephen Flowers (Arrowhead) unveiling the dynamic storytelling architecture behind the Helldivers 2 Galactic War.
This shift toward interactive and design-focused programming aligns with a broader trend in industry conferences where passive lectures are being replaced by collaborative learning environments.
High-Level Insights and Workflow Benefits
devcom 2025 is also leaning heavily into leadership and operational strategy. A headline session from Kate Kellogg, COO of Electronic Arts, offers a personal and professional roadmap from operations management to executive leadership. Her talk, "It All Made Sense at the Time", delves into intuitive decision-making and organizational resilience—topics increasingly relevant as studios navigate post-pandemic hybrid models and shifting market economics.
Additionally, the conference will feature an executive roundtable with leaders from Arrowhead, Avalanche, Gearbox Montreal, and the Helldivers 2 team, offering candid reflections on the “chaos of launches” and long-cycle production decision-making.
Industry Context: Timing, Talent, and Transformation
As the global games industry emerges from a year of consolidation, layoffs, and creative reinvention, devcom’s 2025 edition arrives at a pivotal moment. The confirmed participation of over 210 speakers—ranging from Minh Le, creator of Counter-Strike, to Celia Hodent, a leading UX strategist—signals renewed momentum in cross-functional collaboration between design, production, and audio disciplines.
The diversity and depth of this year’s lineup also reflect devcom’s commitment to sustainability and inclusion, reinforcing its value as a European cornerstone for games professionals in both AAA and indie spaces.
“It’s not just about the tech or the art anymore—it’s about people and purpose,” said Kate Kellogg, COO at Electronic Arts. “Whether you're a studio founder or an intern, intuition, values, and the willingness to adapt are what sustain long-term success.”
Strategic Value for Studios, Publishers, and Investors
Beyond content, devcom’s upgraded side event schedule offers direct business advantages:
- VIP & Business Mixer (Aug 18–19): 600+ key decision-makers gather for private matchmaking and executive networking.
- Pitch It! Mixer (Aug 19): A curated, invitation-only pitch session where developers connect directly with publishers and investors—without time pressure or formal presentations.
- Developer Night (Aug 19): A legendary informal event that catalyzes long-term creative and financial collaborations.
These activations are increasingly seen as essential pre-gamescom touchpoints, allowing publishers and investors to vet opportunities ahead of the expo floor.
Where the Industry Connects Before gamescom Week
With more than 5,000 attendees expected, 350+ sessions, and a dense schedule of technical content and strategic discussion, devcom continues to set the tone for the year ahead in game development. Held at the Koelnmesse Confex Center just days before gamescom opens its doors, it offers a uniquely focused environment for developers to connect, share, and evolve.
Tickets remain available at devcom.global/ddc-2025.