The organizers of Gamescom have issued an official statement regarding the theft of equipment at Gamescom 2026, currently being held in Cologne, Germany.
In a statement posted on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, Gamescom expressed their regret over the incidents, highlighting the deployment of security personnel throughout the venue and informing exhibitors about options for booth security and theft insurance.
The Gamescom organizers stated, “We are aware of the stolen equipment situation and are treating these reports with utmost seriousness,” further adding, “We fully empathize with the affected exhibitors and understand their frustration.”
According to Gamescom, uniformed security guards are stationed across the venue to oversee overall security. Booths can request additional security services, and exhibitors are encouraged to purchase insurance against theft of equipment. Gamescom emphasized, “These details are clearly outlined in the participation terms and technical guidelines.”
Gamescom reiterated, “Ensuring security is a top priority for us during the event, and we are particularly saddened by the impact on indie developers.” The organizers explained that despite their efforts to minimize risks, incidents like these can occur due to malicious individuals at an event of this scale.
The thefts came to light through a post on X by Ryan Laley, a solo developer working on the indie horror game Mimic. In a heartfelt video, he revealed that laptops and equipment from his booth were stolen. Following this, iam8bit and Tessera Studios also shared on X that they had experienced multiple thefts.
After Ryan Laley’s post, the industry rallied to provide support. CDPR expressed their willingness to assist through the official Cyberpunk 2077 account, while Indie Game Joe offered financial aid to replace the stolen equipment. The affected developers have reported the thefts to Gamescom organizers and the police, and investigations are currently underway.
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