gamescom has supplied a second response concerning 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 comparable 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” concerning the state of affairs, it “would really like to inform [attendees] about normal safety laws.”
My #gamescom minimize brief. Our gear was stolen final night time from the sales space.
Police reviews have been filed.
At a loss for phrases to describe the sensation. Simply defeated. Gonna do my finest 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 may 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 pointers,” it stated. “…At an occasion of this measurement, nonetheless, there’ll at all times be people making an attempt to make the most of the state of affairs. Our safety measures are designed to reduce such dangers as successfully as potential.”
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.”
As we speak, September 4, gamescom posted a follow-up assertion on social media, through which it apologized for its preliminary publish. It additionally introduced plans to enhance safety transferring ahead, promising to host a roundtable dialogue with builders who had indie cubicles on the occasion.
You’ll be able to learn the assertion in full beneath:
“Over the previous few days, we now have obtained quite a lot of criticism for the way in which we communicated concerning the theft of {hardware} belonging to a number of indie builders. That criticism is justified. Our first response didn’t strike the precise tone, and it didn’t present the individuals affected the empathy they deserved. We’re sorry. A theft like that is way over a cloth loss. It could actually wreck a whole 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, may be virtually every part.
“To everybody affected: we perceive what this has price you, and we must always have stated so from the very first second. We’ve already begun speaking with these affected – concerning the theft, about its penalties, and above all to pay attention. We’ve additionally been moved by how this trade responded. Inside hours, individuals provided assist – unconditionally, and with out being requested. That claims a terrific deal about this group, and we’re grateful for it. What it doesn’t do is relieve us, because the organizers, of our personal duty 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 bettering safety. Here’s what we’re doing: Alongside our common post-event overview and our analysis of exhibitor suggestions, we are going to perform a devoted overview of safety for indie exhibitors. Within the coming weeks, we are going to 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, potential connections between them investigated, and acceptable motion taken. You’ll be able to attain us at sales@gamescom.de. gamescom is made by the trade, for the trade. It lives on the eagerness of the individuals who construct it, and that features the numerous small studios who matter to us enormously. Our dedication has at all times been to maintain making gamescom higher – along with the group, not simply when issues go effectively. That’s precisely what we are going to 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 just a few issues” his method. Don’t Scream dev Joe Henson, AKA Indie Recreation Joe, additionally provided to assist out, remodeling a tragic state of affairs right into a heartwarming present of help and group effort.
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s Information Editor. With ten years of expertise reporting on video games and leisure, she’s received a storied background within the preventing recreation group, influencer information, and viral on-line traits. Discover her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.