gamescom has supplied a second response relating to the theft of builders’ gear throughout its occasion, providing an apology for its preliminary response to the ordeal.
On August 28, 2026, indie developer Ryan Laley uploaded a video to X/Twitter claiming that every one of his laptops had been stolen at gamescom. He wasn’t the one one affected; a number of different builders spoke out with related tales, saying their gear had additionally been pilfered on the occasion.
gamescom responded to the ordeal on August 29, writing that whereas it was “very unhappy” in regards to the scenario, it “wish to inform [attendees] about normal safety rules.”
My #gamescom lower brief. Our gear was stolen final evening from the sales space.
Police experiences have been filed.
Confused to explain the sensation. Simply defeated. Gonna do my greatest with what’s left of the week.
However an enormous blow financially and mentally pic.twitter.com/dKpp3Of6df
— Mimic | Ryan Laley (@RyanLaley) August 28, 2026
“Particular person stand safety might be booked individually, and exhibitors are suggested to insure gear towards theft. That is famous within the phrases and circumstances of participation and the technical tips,” it stated. “…At an occasion of this dimension, nevertheless, there’ll all the time be people trying to reap the benefits of the scenario. Our safety measures are designed to attenuate such dangers as successfully as attainable.”
This assertion didn’t go over effectively. A swath of fellow exhibitors, attendees, and onlookers on-line felt that gamescom’s reply positioned blame on victims of the theft, slamming the occasion for its “unacceptable response.”
At this time, September 4, gamescom posted a follow-up assertion on social media, by which it apologized for its preliminary publish. It additionally introduced plans to enhance safety shifting ahead, promising to host a roundtable dialogue with builders who had indie cubicles on the occasion.
You possibly can learn the assertion in full beneath:
“Over the previous few days, we’ve got obtained a substantial amount of criticism for the best way we communicated in regards to the theft of {hardware} belonging to a number of indie builders. That criticism is justified. Our first response didn’t strike the suitable tone, and it didn’t present the individuals affected the empathy they deserved. We’re sorry. A theft like that is way over a fabric loss. It could damage a complete gamescom for the individuals it occurs to, and it will possibly destroy work that took months or years to construct – work that, for a small studio, might be virtually every thing.
“To everybody affected: we perceive what this has value you, and we must always have stated so from the very first second. Now we have already begun speaking with these affected – in regards to the theft, about its penalties, and above all to pay attention. Now we have additionally been moved by how this business responded. Inside hours, individuals provided assist – unconditionally, and with out being requested. That claims an incredible deal about this neighborhood, and we’re grateful for it. What it doesn’t do is relieve us, because the organizers, of our personal accountability to work along with our exhibitors and companions to create the absolute best atmosphere for everybody.
“We’re due to this fact dedicated to collectively reviewing and additional enhancing safety. Here’s what we’re doing: Alongside our common post-event assessment and our analysis of exhibitor suggestions, we’ll perform a devoted assessment of safety for indie exhibitors. Within the coming weeks, we’ll invite organizers of shared indie cubicles to a roundtable, in order that we will develop concrete measures collectively.
“We additionally urge each exhibitor who has skilled an incident to report it – to us and to the police – even when it occurred a while in the past. Solely then can incidents be documented, attainable connections between them investigated, and applicable motion taken. You possibly can attain us at sales@gamescom.de. gamescom is made by the business, for the business. It lives on the eagerness of the individuals who construct it, and that features the various small studios who matter to us enormously. Our dedication has all the time been to maintain making gamescom higher – along with the neighborhood, not simply when issues go effectively. That’s precisely what we’ll do right here. Thanks to everybody who helps us.”
— gamescom (@gamescom) September 4, 2026
Fortunately, a number of good Samaritans have stepped in to assist the builders affected by the thefts within the aftermath. Most notably, The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Pink reached out to Laley on social media, promising to “ship a couple of issues” his manner. Don’t Scream dev Joe Henson, AKA Indie Recreation Joe, additionally provided to assist out, remodeling a tragic scenario right into a heartwarming present of help and neighborhood effort.
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s Information Editor. With ten years of expertise reporting on video games and leisure, she’s obtained a storied background within the preventing sport neighborhood, influencer information, and viral on-line tendencies. Discover her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.
Hi, I’m Rishab. I’m a passionate pc gamer and an avid video game content writer. I have been involved with video games for over 2 decades now, and even today, after playing an astronomical number of games over the years, I’m still eager for more. In my free time, you will find me enjoying a hot cup of coffee and playing my favorite relaxing fishing game, Dave the Diver.
