Gamescom has publicly expressed regret for the way it initially handled reports of equipment thefts at this year’s exhibition, conceding that its first response "did not strike the right tone" and failed to "show the people affected the empathy they deserve." In a series of posts on its official social‑media channels, the organizers acknowledged the backlash and admitted that the criticism they received was warranted. "We have received a great deal of criticism for the way we communicated about the theft of hardware belonging to several indie developers," the statement read. "That criticism is justified." The apology went on to stress that a theft of this nature is far more than a simple material loss. It can effectively ruin an exhibitor’s entire Gamescom experience, and for small studios it can mean the destruction of months or even years of work that represent the core of their business.
"To everyone affected: we understand what this has cost you, and we should have said so from the very first moment," the organizers added. Earlier in the week, Gamescom had issued a brief notice acknowledging that stolen hardware had been reported at the event. The original message emphasized that, given the scale of the show, "there will always be individuals attempting to take advantage of the situation" and that the event’s security protocols were designed to "minimise such risks as effectively as possible." It also referenced the venue’s "general security regulations" and reminded exhibitors that "individual stand security can be booked separately, and exhibitors are advised to insure equipment against theft." In response to the outcry, the Gamescom team announced that it would conduct a thorough post‑event review, which will include a "dedicated review of security for indie exhibitors." A round‑table discussion is also planned for shared indie booths, with the goal of "developing concrete measures together" to prevent similar incidents in the future. GamesIndustry.biz reached out to Gamescom for details about the number of thefts reported, any compensation plans, and the overall security strategy.
The outlet was directed back to the organizers’ earlier public statements, which offered limited new information. Several developers came forward to describe the impact of the thefts.
Ryan Laley, the founder of the indie studio Mimic, said that all of his laptops were taken, calling the loss "a huge blow financially and mentally." The incident prompted offers of assistance from major industry players such as CD Projekt Red and Alienware, who pledged to send replacement equipment to Laley. Gamescom thanked these companies for their support, noting that external help does not absolve the organizers of their own responsibility. "What it does not do is relieve us, as the organisers, of our own responsibility to work together with our exhibitors and partners to create the best possible environment for everyone," the statement continued.
"We are therefore committed to jointly reviewing and further improving security." The security breach also affected Iam8bit, which reported that two laptops used for game demos were stolen despite the presence of Koelnmesse security personnel. The company expressed disappointment, saying, "This is hugely disappointing for us and our development teams at Nano Park Studios and Coin Crew Games, who worked tirelessly to prepare for this show." Tessera Studios, the creator of The Zibbo Show, suffered a forced‑open cabinet that resulted in the theft of two laptops and a Steam Deck.
The studio warned that the stolen devices contained not only their Gamescom demo but also personal data, company information, and other critical assets. Gamescom urged any exhibitor who experienced a theft to report the incident both to the event organizers and to local police authorities. It also provided a contact email (sales@gamescom.de) for further assistance and to facilitate any follow‑up investigations. In the weeks ahead, the organizers plan to publish the findings of their security review and to outline specific steps they will take to bolster protection for all participants, with particular attention to indie developers who often lack the resources of larger publishers.
The goal, according to Gamescom, is to rebuild trust, ensure that future editions of the show are safe for all attendees, and demonstrate that the lessons learned from this year’s incidents will lead to tangible improvements in security policy and practice.