Gamescom has publicly expressed remorse for the way it initially handled reports of stolen equipment at this year’s exhibition, admitting 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 channels, the organizers acknowledged the criticism they have received and conceded that it was justified. "We have been heavily criticised for how we communicated about the theft of hardware belonging to several independent developers," the statement read. "That criticism is justified." The organization went on to explain that a theft of this nature is far more than a simple material loss.
It can ruin an entire Gamescom experience for the victims and can obliterate months or even years of work, especially for small studios for whom the stolen assets represent a substantial portion of their development budget. "To everyone affected: we understand what this has cost you, and we should have said so from the very first moment," the apology continued. Earlier in the week, Gamescom had issued a brief notice saying it was aware of stolen hardware at the event, adding that "at an event of this size, there will always be individuals attempting to take advantage of the situation.
Our security measures are designed to minimise such risks as effectively as possible." The earlier communication 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 light of the backlash, the event’s management announced a comprehensive post‑event review. This review will include a "dedicated assessment of security for indie exhibitors" and a round‑table discussion with representatives from shared indie booths to "develop concrete measures together." The goal, according to Gamescom, is to identify gaps in current procedures and to implement stronger safeguards for future editions.
GamesIndustry.biz reached out to Gamescom for details on the number of incidents reported, possible compensation for the victims, and an overview of the security framework that was in place. The organizers referred the outlet back to their earlier statements, indicating that a full report would be released after the internal review is completed. Multiple developers shared their experiences of theft in both the business and indie sections of the show.
Ryan Laley, the founder of the indie studio Mimic, reported that all of his laptops were stolen, describing the loss as "a huge blow financially and mentally." In response, several industry players, including CD Projekt Red and Alienware, offered to supply replacement equipment to Laley. Gamescom thanked those companies for their generosity, noting that external assistance does not absolve the organizers of their own duty to protect exhibitors.
"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 added. "We are therefore committed to jointly reviewing and further improving security." The incident also impacted Iam8bit, which lost two laptops used for game demos despite the presence of Koelnmesse security personnel.
The company expressed deep disappointment, stating that the theft undermined the hard work of Nano Park Studios and Coin Crew Games, both of which had spent months preparing their demos for the show. Tessera Studios, the creators of The Zibbo Show, suffered a forced‑open cabinet that resulted in the theft of two laptops and a Steam Deck.
The studio emphasized that the stolen devices contained not only the demo builds intended for Gamescom but also a wealth of personal, corporate, and sensitive data. In its final remarks, Gamescom urged any exhibitor who experienced theft to file a report with both the event organizers and local police authorities.
The organization provided a direct contact address—sales@gamescom.de—for affected parties to reach out for assistance, documentation, or further information about the upcoming security review. Overall, the episode has sparked a broader conversation within the gaming community about the adequacy of security measures at large conventions, especially for smaller indie developers who may lack the resources to purchase additional protection or comprehensive insurance. While Gamescom’s apology marks a step toward acknowledging the problem, many stakeholders are watching closely to see whether the promised security enhancements will be implemented in time for next year’s show.