In a stunning display of community spirit and a much-needed course correction, Gamescom has issued a heartfelt apology for its initial response to the theft of equipment from indie developers during the event. The incident, which saw several developers’ laptops and other essential gear pilfered, sparked outrage online, with many criticizing Gamescom’s first statement as insensitive and victim-blaming.
Initial Outcry and CD Projekt Red’s Generosity
gamescom responded to the ordeal”>Gamescom’s initial response on August 29th, while acknowledging the situation was “very sad,” focused on general security regulations and urged exhibitors to insure their equipment. This sparked a firestorm of criticism, with many feeling that Gamescom was shifting blame onto the victims. One developer, Ryan Laley, shared his experience on X/Twitter, stating that all his laptops had been stolen. “My pic.twitter.com/dKpp3Of6df”>#gamescom cut short. Our equipment was stolen last night from the booth. 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.” Fortunately, the gaming community rallied around those affected. CD Projekt Red, the studio behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, reached out to Laley, offering assistance. Don’t Scream dev Joe Henson also stepped up to help.
A Sincere Apology and a Plan for Change
Today, September 4th, Gamescom issued a follow-up statement acknowledging the validity of the criticism. “Over the past few days, we have received a great deal of criticism for the way we communicated about the theft of hardware belonging to several indie developers. 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 statement outlined concrete steps Gamescom will take to improve security, including a dedicated review of security for indie exhibitors and a roundtable discussion with affected developers. They also urged all exhibitors who experienced an incident to report it, even if it happened some time ago, so that incidents can be documented and investigated.
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Moving Forward Together
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community and support within the gaming industry. While the theft was undoubtedly devastating for those affected, the outpouring of generosity and the commitment from Gamescom to improve security offer a glimmer of hope. Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze”>@TheeMissGlaze.
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