Gamescom has apologised to indie developers whose laptops and other equipment were stolen from exhibitor stations during the convention, after its initial response triggered widespread criticism.
Several exhibitors said their stands had been ransacked overnight. Mimic developer Ryan Laley shared an emotional account of having his laptops taken, prompting strong support from across the games industry. Witcher 4 developer CD Projekt RED even offered to replace the stolen property.
The event’s first response said exhibitors were responsible for protecting their own equipment, despite the presence of event security. That position was criticised as dismissive and as placing responsibility on people affected by the thefts.
Gamescom acknowledges the impact
Almost a week after the original comments, Gamescom issued a second statement acknowledging that its response failed to recognise the seriousness of what had happened or use the right tone.
The new statement appeared on the event’s Twitter account on September 4, six days after the initial comments were published on August 29. Gamescom described the criticism as justified and asked affected exhibitors to report thefts both to local law enforcement and to the organisers.
Organisers also said they would hold a roundtable with indie exhibitors. The goal is to develop practical measures together and reduce the risk of a similar series of thefts at next year’s event.
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.
We have begun talking with those affected – about the theft, about its consequences, and above all to listen.
The organisers also thanked the wider games community for offering immediate, unconditional help. However, Gamescom said that this support did not remove its responsibility to work with exhibitors and partners to provide a safer environment.
Why exhibitor protection matters
Gamescom is one of the world’s biggest video game conventions, giving developers opportunities to show their work to players and build relationships with publishers, partners and other studios. For small teams, the equipment and data at a stand may represent months or years of work.
That makes clear guidance and effective security particularly important. Exhibitors need to know what protection is provided, what should happen when equipment is left unattended and how incidents will be handled. Failing to communicate those expectations clearly is a serious oversight; blaming people after their equipment is stolen compounds the damage.
The response also highlights a broader issue for anyone displaying hardware at public events. Whether a studio is presenting a prototype or an operator is preparing an arcade machine, practical precautions, secure storage and clear venue procedures all matter. RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide offers a useful starting point for thinking about equipment, setup and ownership requirements, while arcade parts can help with repairs after equipment has been safely recovered or transported.
Gamescom’s planned discussions with indie exhibitors will show whether the apology leads to meaningful changes in security and exhibitor protections. The event’s follow-through will matter just as much as the statement itself.
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