Gamescom organizers apologized for insufficient attention to thefts from indie developers

• There were equipment thefts from several indie studios at gamescom.
• The organizers admitted a mistake in their initial response to the incident.
• Support and discussions about the consequences of the thefts have been offered to the victims.
• The exhibition management promises to review and improve security measures.

Last week, during the gamescom 2024 event, a series of equipment thefts occurred at the exhibition stands. Several independent developers were affected by the loss of equipment: indie developer Ryan Layli lost essential equipment and was forced to leave the event early, the company iam8bit reported the disappearance of two laptops, and Tessera Studios faced a similar situation.

The initial statement from the exhibition organizers, while confirming the fact of thefts and expressing understanding of the participants' disappointment, sparked a wave of criticism in the professional community. Many felt that the official position was too formal and did not reflect the seriousness of what had occurred.

Reconsidering the position

On September 4, the management of gamescom published a detailed address, openly acknowledging a communication error. Exhibition representatives emphasized that their initial reaction was inappropriate and lacked the level of empathy that the victims were entitled to. The organizers issued an official apology and provided a detailed explanation of what happened.

In the new statement, gamescom reminded that there is a permanent security staff in uniform on the exhibition grounds, as well as the option to order additional security for individual booths for an extra fee. Furthermore, the organizers indicated that participants are advised to arrange insurance for their equipment against theft, as mentioned in the participation conditions and technical requirements for participants.

All known cases reported to the organizers have been forwarded to the Cologne police, and law enforcement is investigating the incidents of theft.

The significance of the problem for indie developers

In their address, the gamescom management emphasized that they understand the scale of the problem not only from a material perspective. The loss of equipment for a small indie studio can mean much more than financial costs. It can destroy months or years of the team's work, jeopardize the demonstration of the project to potential publishers and investors, and in some cases, be a critical blow to the studio's ability to continue its existence.

The organizers acknowledged that they should have demonstrated an understanding of these consequences from the very beginning. They reported the start of direct communication with the affected parties, where they listen to their concerns and discuss possible ways to provide support.

Support for the Industry

The gamescom management expressed gratitude to the gaming community for their quick and generous response to the incident. Within hours of the news about the thefts, many individuals and companies offered their assistance to the affected developers without any conditions and even without requests from the organizers. This, in the management's opinion, demonstrates the gaming industry's willingness to support each other in difficult situations.

At the same time, the organizers emphasized that external support does not absolve them of responsibility for ensuring the safety of all participants. They intend to work with participants and partners to review existing security measures and implement improvements to minimize the risk of similar incidents in the future.

Source: StopGame