Gamescom has issued a response after several exhibitors reported laptops and other hardware stolen from their booths during the Cologne event. Organizers said police investigations are underway, but the statement has drawn criticism for reminding exhibitors that individual stand security can be purchased separately and equipment should be insured against theft.
We are aware of stolen hardware and take these reports very seriously and understand the frustration of affected exhibitors.
— gamescom (@gamescom) August 29, 2026
Since many requests reached us, we would like to inform about general security regulations at the event:
Uniformed guards provide general security across…
The thefts became public on Aug. 28 when solo developer Ryan Laley, creator of upcoming multiplayer horror game Mimic, returned to his booth in the business area and found his laptops gone. Laley said at least seven or eight laptops were stolen from the surrounding area overnight, despite exhibitors being told the business hall had 24-hour security and limited access outside operating hours. The loss forced him to cancel much of his gamescom schedule.
My #gamescom cut short. Our equipment was stolen last night from the booth.
— Mimic | Ryan Laley (@RyanLaley) August 28, 2026
Police reports have been filed.
At a loss for words to describe the feeling. Just defeated. Gonna do my best with what's left of the week.
But a huge blow financially and mentally pic.twitter.com/dKpp3Of6df
Publisher iam8bit was hit in the same area, losing two laptops used to demonstrate Petal Runner and Escape Academy 2. Both machines contained unfinished builds, creating the additional risk that development versions of the games could leak. Tessera Studios also found its cabinet forced open in the Indie Area in Hall 10.2 earlier in the week, with two laptops and a Steam Deck containing company and personal information taken from inside.
Today at gamescom we arrived to our station in the business area hall to discover that our two laptops had been stolen over night, despite the presence of Koelnmesse security.
— iam8bit @ gamescom hall 5.2 stand C051 (@iam8bit) August 28, 2026
These were machines we were using to demo iam8bit Presents titles Petal Runner and Escape Academy 2 to…
Gamescom’s response isn’t going down well
Gamescom’s statement has attracted much of the criticism, and replies accused the event of shifting responsibility toward exhibitors whose equipment disappeared inside supposedly secured areas, with people calling this response unacceptable. Others questioned why organizers were talking about optional private guards and insurance before explaining how thieves were able to remove multiple computers from restricted halls overnight.
Laley has since received help from elsewhere in the games industry. Indie Game Joe provided money to replace his stolen hardware, with CD Projekt Red also reaching out to offer help. Laley declined suggestions for a crowdfunding campaign and instead asked people to wishlist and share Mimic, saying he plans to remain at gamescom for the rest of the weekend despite losing his booth setup.
