Gamescom has publicly acknowledged that its first response to the series of thefts reported at this year’s exhibition fell short of the appropriate tone and failed to convey the empathy owed to the victims. In a message posted on its official social‑media channels, the organizers admitted that the criticism they have received regarding their handling of the incidents is justified and that they regret not addressing the situation with the sensitivity it required. The statement begins by noting the volume of negative feedback the company has encountered after it initially announced that several pieces of hardware belonging to independent developers had been stolen.
"We have received a great deal of criticism for the way we communicated about the theft of hardware belonging to several indie developers," the post reads. "That criticism is justified." The organizers then elaborate on why such thefts are far more damaging than a simple loss of equipment.
"A theft like this is far more than a material loss. It can ruin an entire Gamescom for the people it happens to, and it can destroy work that took months or years to build – work that, for a small studio, can be almost everything," the apology continues. "To everyone affected: we understand what this has cost you, and we should have said so from the very first moment." Earlier in the week, Gamescom had issued a brief statement acknowledging that it was aware of stolen hardware at the event.
That earlier communication 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 are intended to "minimise such risks as effectively as possible." It also referenced the exhibition’s general security regulations, reminding exhibitors that they could book "individual stand security" separately and that they should consider insuring their equipment against theft. In light of the backlash, Gamescom has now announced a comprehensive post‑event review. This review will include a dedicated assessment of security measures specifically for indie exhibitors, and the organizers plan to convene a round‑table discussion with representatives from shared indie booths to "develop concrete measures together." The goal, according to the statement, is to create a more robust protective framework that can prevent similar incidents in future editions of the show. GamesIndustry.biz reached out to Gamescom for details on the number of reported thefts, the possibility of compensation for affected developers, and an overview of the security infrastructure that was in place.
The publication was directed back to the organizers’ previous public statements, which offered limited additional information. Multiple developers have come forward to describe the impact of the thefts on their work.
Ryan Laley, the founder of the indie studio Mimic, reported that all of his laptops were taken, calling the experience "a huge blow financially and mentally." Laley’s loss included not only the physical devices but also months of development data, source code, and demo builds that were intended for presentation at Gamescom. In response, several industry players, including CD Projekt Red and Alienware, offered to supply replacement equipment to Laley. Gamescom thanked these companies for their assistance, noting that while such gestures are helpful, they do not absolve the organizers of their responsibility to maintain a secure environment.
Another affected exhibitor, Iam8bit, confirmed that two laptops used for game demonstrations were stolen despite the presence of Koelnmesse security staff on the floor. The company expressed deep disappointment, stating that the loss was a setback for both their own development team and for Nano Park Studios and Coin Crew Games, the partners who had collaborated on the demo content.
Tessera Studios, the creators of "The Zibbo Show," also suffered a breach when a cabinet housing their equipment was forced open. The thieves walked away with two laptops and a Steam Deck, devices that contained not only the studio’s Gamescom demo but also a trove of personal, corporate, and sensitive information. The studio warned that the theft could have broader ramifications, including potential exposure of unreleased game assets and private data. In its concluding remarks, Gamescom urged any exhibitor who experienced a theft to report the incident both to the event’s organizing team and to local law enforcement.
The organizers provided a dedicated email address—sales@gamescom.de—for victims to make contact and seek assistance. Looking forward, Gamescom has pledged to work closely with exhibitors, security experts, and industry partners to overhaul its protective measures. The organization emphasized that the recent incidents have highlighted gaps in the current system and that a collaborative approach will be essential to safeguard the creative output of both large publishers and small indie studios alike. By conducting a thorough security audit, offering additional stand‑level protection options, and encouraging exhibitors to insure valuable equipment, Gamescom aims to restore confidence and ensure that future editions of the show can be enjoyed without the shadow of theft looming over participants.
The incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of high‑value technology in large public events and underscores the importance of proactive security planning, clear communication, and rapid, empathetic response when things go wrong. As Gamescom moves toward implementing its promised improvements, the industry will be watching closely to see whether the new measures can effectively prevent a repeat of this year’s unfortunate losses.