Gamescom has publicly expressed remorse for the way it initially handled reports of stolen equipment at this year’s exhibition, admitting that its first statement "did not strike the right tone" and failed to "show the people affected the empathy they deserve." In a follow‑up post on its official social channels, the event’s organizers acknowledged the backlash and took responsibility for the misstep. "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 organizers went on to explain that a theft of this nature is far more than a simple loss of material assets.
"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. 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 notice that it was aware of stolen hardware at the show, noting 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." That message 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 recent criticism, Gamescom’s team announced a comprehensive post‑event review.
The review will include a "dedicated review of security for indie exhibitors" and a round‑table discussion with representatives of shared indie booths to "develop concrete measures together." The aim is to identify gaps in the current security framework and to implement stronger safeguards for future editions of the show. GamesIndustry.biz reached out to Gamescom for details on the number of incidents reported, the possibility of compensation for affected developers, and the overall security strategy employed during the exhibition. The outlet was directed back to the statements already released by the organizers, which emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to security moving forward. Multiple developers reported that their equipment was stolen from both the business and indie sections of Gamescom.
Ryan Laley, the founder of the indie studio Mimic, said that all of his laptops were taken, describing the experience as "a huge blow financially and mentally." The loss of those machines meant not only the disappearance of expensive hardware but also the disappearance of months of work, source code, and demo builds that were essential for the studio’s presence at the show. In response, several industry heavyweights, including CD Projekt Red and Alienware, offered to provide replacement equipment to Laley.
Gamescom’s organizers thanked these companies for their swift assistance, noting that while such gestures are helpful, they do not absolve the event of its 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 continued. "We are therefore committed to jointly reviewing and further improving security." Another exhibitor, Iam8bit, reported that two laptops used for live game demos were stolen despite the presence of Koelnmesse security staff.
The company said the loss was "hugely disappointing for us and our development teams at Nano Park Studios and Coin Crew Games, who worked tirelessly to prepare for this show." The stolen devices contained not only demo builds but also proprietary assets and sensitive data. Tessera Studios, the creators of The Zibbo Show, experienced a forced‑open cabinet that resulted in the theft of two laptops and a Steam Deck.
Their spokesperson explained that the stolen devices held not only the Gamescom demo version of their title but also personal information, company records, and other critical data that would take significant time and resources to recover. Gamescom has urged any exhibitor who suffered a theft to file a report with both the event’s organizing team and local police authorities.
The organizers also provided a direct email address (sales@gamescom.de) for victims to reach out for assistance, guidance on insurance claims, and information about potential compensation measures. Looking ahead, the post‑event security review will examine several key areas: the adequacy of on‑site security personnel, the effectiveness of surveillance equipment, the clarity of guidelines given to exhibitors about insurance and stand‑level security options, and the process for reporting incidents in real time.
The round‑table with indie booth operators is expected to generate a set of actionable recommendations, such as mandatory security locks for shared booths, increased patrols in high‑traffic zones, and a rapid‑response protocol for stolen‑property alerts. Industry observers note that the incident underscores a broader challenge for large trade shows, where the sheer volume of attendees and the diversity of exhibitor sizes make uniform security difficult to enforce. Smaller studios often lack the resources to purchase additional stand security or comprehensive insurance, leaving them vulnerable when a breach occurs. By collaborating with indie developers and offering subsidized security options, Gamescom hopes to mitigate these risks in future editions.
In summary, Gamescom’s apology reflects an acknowledgment that the initial communication fell short of the empathy and transparency expected by the affected developers. The organization has pledged to conduct a thorough security audit, involve indie exhibitors in the solution‑design process, and improve both preventive measures and response protocols. The hope is that these steps will restore confidence among participants and ensure that future shows provide a safer, more supportive environment for creators of all sizes.