At Least 8 Laptops Were Stolen From Gamescom Booths Overnight

At least eight laptops were stolen from Gamescom booths overnight, along with a Steam Deck and other demo equipment. Exhibitors in the business area and Indie Area found hardware missing during the Cologne event. Ryan Laley and iam8bit discovered losses after Thursday night, while Tessera Studios described a separate break-in on Wednesday, August 26. Police reports were filed.

The affected booths were spread across Koelnmesse. Laley and iam8bit were exhibiting in Hall 4.1, while Tessera Studios was in Hall 10.2.

Ryan Laley lost the equipment for Mimic

When Laley returned to his booth on day 2 of Gamescom, Friday, August 28, his Alienware and Razer demo laptops were missing. He had been using the machines to show his horror game Mimic. The chargers were left behind, but the loss effectively ended his appearance at the event.

Laley said he contacted Gamescom central management and event security, as well as the Cologne police. He had not received further updates. Working alone as an indie developer already requires a lot of time and money, so losing multiple laptops became a major financial and mental blow. Laley said he was at a loss for words and felt defeated.

After the incident drew wider attention, CD Projekt Red offered Laley assistance while presenting The Witcher 3 Remastered and its Songs of the Past DLC at the venue.

My #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 pic.twitter.com/dKpp3Of6df

— Mimic | Ryan Laley (@RyanLaley) August 28, 2026

More exhibitors reported missing demo hardware

iam8bit later said two laptops had been taken overnight from its station in Hall 4.1. The publisher used the machines to show Petal Runner and Escape Academy 2 to press and industry attendees. The demos were prepared in connection with Nano Park Studios and Coin Crew Games.

Because the laptops contained pre-release builds, iam8bit feared the theft could put those games at risk of an online leak. The loss also disrupted its Gamescom appointment schedule.

Tessera Studios described a separate break-in at its Indie Area booth in Hall 10.2. On Wednesday, August 26, staff found that a locked cabinet had been forced open. Two laptops and a Steam Deck were taken.

The hardware was being used to present the studio’s upcoming game The Zibbo Show. Tessera said the devices held more than its Gamescom demo, including personal, company, and other critical information.

Tessera also said it had heard about at least two similar incidents involving the Games from Spain booth, along with several more thefts elsewhere across the fair. Those additional cases have not been independently detailed.

Gamescom addresses security questions

Gamescom has now addressed the reports in its public response. Organizers said uniformed guards provide general security throughout the venue, while exhibitors can book security for individual stands. Gamescom also pointed to its terms and technical guidelines, which advise exhibitors to insure their equipment against theft.

Gamescom said all reported cases had been brought to its attention and to the police, with investigations underway. Organizers called the incidents individual cases and said their effect on indie developers was especially upsetting. They also said the event’s security measures are intended to reduce the risk of theft at a venue of this size.

Australia and Japan-based games marketing agency Ukiyo Studios said it lost a PC from its Gamescom booth two years ago. The agency also claimed it had dealt with a theft at the event each year.

Earlier security concerns return to focus

A 2025 investigation from German broadcaster WDR brought earlier concerns about Gamescom security back into the discussion. Trade union Verdi had questioned how thoroughly security personnel were vetted. During a large inspection at Gamescom 2025, customs officials found that many people working security could not produce official identification cards or guard identification numbers.

The current reports involve booths in different parts of Koelnmesse. Affected teams lost demo time, appointments, and access to work files, while unreleased software may now require extra precautions. Some exhibitors also want clearer answers about how thieves reached areas they considered restricted and what organizers plan to do next.

Police investigations remained underway as Gamescom continued through Sunday, August 30. For the affected exhibitors, the damage goes beyond replacing a laptop or handheld. Gamescom organizers and event security now face pressure to explain how the thefts happened and how similar incidents will be prevented at future expos.

For Laley, the stolen equipment was tied directly to Mimic, an asymmetrical online survival horror game for up to 10 players. Players solve objectives, survive an Android hunting them, or take the role of the shape-shifting Mimic hiding among the group.

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