Gamescom Apologizes For Victim-Blaming Devs Whose Laptops Were Stolen - Kotaku
It said that it was on the exhibitors to protect against theft, regardless of the presence of any event security. — gamescom (@gamescom) September 4, 2026 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.
Last week during Gamescom, several people reported that their stations had been ransacked overnight, with Mimic developer Ryan Laley posting a tearful message about his laptops being stolen at the event. The industry at large was very supportive, with Witcher 4 maker CD Projekt RED even offering to replace the stolen property. Gamescom itself? It said that it was on the exhibitors to protect against theft, regardless of the presence of any event security.
The statement was met with a harsh backlash, and nearly a week later, Gamescom organizers released a new statement saying it should have appreciated the gravity of the situation and struck the “right tone.”
The statement was posted on the event’s Twitter account on September 4, six days after its initial comments went live on August 29. The statement acknowledged the “justified” criticism of its initial comments, and encouraged any affected exhibitor to report any thefts on the showfloor, both to local law enforcement and the event organizers themselves. Gamescom says it will be organizing a roundtable with indie exhibitors to “develop concrete measures together” in order to hopefully avoid a similar spree of thefts at next year’s event.
— gamescom (@gamescom) September 4, 2026
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.
We have also been moved by how this industry responded. Within hours, people offered help – unconditionally, and without being asked. That says a great deal about this community, and we are grateful for it. What it does not do is relieve us, as the organizers, of our responsibility to work together with exhibitors and partners to create the best possible environment.
It’s giving damage control. Gamescom is the largest video game convention in the world, and so it can be a great chance to get your game in front of players and also make business connections with other developers and business partners. Failing to protect exhibitors, or clearly communicate when equipment should be locked up if unattended, is an unacceptable oversight. Blaming those affected is even worse.
We’ll see if Gamescom actually takes any of this to heart and improves security and exhibitor protections moving forward.
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