Gamescom organisers have issued another statement addressing the theft of hardware from indie developers at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, acknowledging criticism of their initial response and promising a dedicated review of security for indie exhibitors.
Several developers and publishers previously reported equipment being stolen from their booths during the event, including laptops, a Steam Deck and other hardware. Gamescom organisers had confirmed that the incidents were reported to police and that investigations were underway.
In its latest statement, Gamescom acknowledged that its initial communication about the Gamescom hardware theft was inadequate. The organisers said, “That criticism is justified. Our first response did not strike the right tone, and it did not show the people affected the empathy they deserved. We are sorry.”
The organisers also recognised that the impact of the thefts went beyond the financial value of the equipment, particularly for smaller studios whose work and development hardware may represent months or years of effort.
Gamescom said it has already begun speaking with affected exhibitors about the thefts and their consequences. The organisers also praised members of the games industry who offered assistance to affected developers shortly after the incidents were reported.
As part of its response, Gamescom said it will conduct a dedicated security review focused on indie exhibitors alongside its regular post-event review and evaluation of exhibitor feedback. Organisers will also invite those responsible for shared indie booths to a roundtable in the coming weeks to discuss concrete measures for improving security.
Gamescom is also urging exhibitors who experienced an incident to report it both to the organisers and to police, including incidents that may have happened some time ago. The organisers said this will help ensure cases are documented and allow investigators to examine possible connections between incidents.
