Ethan Crossfield 
Several developers, publishers, and other Gamescom 2026 exhibitors say valuable equipment was stolen from their booths during the event. The reports include missing computers, laptops, consoles, controllers, and unfinished game builds, with at least one developer saying the loss forced their team to cut its planned activities short. The allegations have also prompted criticism of overnight security and renewed attention on how exhibitors are expected to protect their equipment.
What happened at Gamescom?
On August 28, game developer Ryan Laley said his team discovered that all of the computers at its booth had been taken overnight. Laley reported the incident to police and described the financial and practical impact in a social media video. The situation drew support from other developers, including CD Projekt Red, which offered to help with spare hardware.
Further reports followed from other Gamescom attendees. Tessera Studios said its storage had been forced open and that laptops, a Steam Deck, and controllers were missing. Publisher iam8bit also reported stolen laptops, some of which contained unfinished builds of upcoming games. These losses go beyond the replacement cost of hardware because development equipment may contain work that has not yet been publicly shown.
Eric Pope, senior community director at Dead by Daylight, said security staff did not provide useful answers when his team asked about protecting booths and equipment after hours. A senior editor at Insider Gaming also alleged that children were able to enter areas that were supposed to be secured.
Why the reports matter for the industry
Gamescom is a major meeting point for developers, publishers, media, and players, making booth equipment especially important. Studios rely on computers and other devices to demonstrate games, present builds, and continue work during a busy event. Losing that equipment can disrupt showcases, development schedules, and planned conversations with partners or audiences.
The reports also raise questions about responsibility. Gamescom said it understands the exhibitors' concerns, but stated that attendees are encouraged to insure their equipment against theft. The event explained that its guards provide general venue security, while exhibitors can hire individual security officers for their booths. Gamescom added that events of this size attract people seeking opportunities to steal and that it works to reduce those risks.
The issue may not be limited to 2026. Ukiyo Studios said it had already taken special steps to protect its equipment at Gamescom after a PC was stolen in 2024. During this year's show, the studio reported that an Xbox controller and food were also taken from its booth.
What to watch next
The immediate focus is likely to remain on police reports, insurance claims, and whether affected teams can replace the hardware they lost. It is also unclear whether the stolen devices contained sensitive development material beyond the unfinished builds mentioned by iam8bit. The source reports do not establish whether any game data was accessed or distributed.
Gamescom's response puts the emphasis on exhibitor insurance and privately hired booth security, but the accounts from developers suggest that some attendees expected stronger protection in shared event spaces. Future shows may face pressure to clarify overnight access rules, patrol coverage, and the security standards applied to exhibition areas. For developers, the incident is a reminder that a public demo setup can also expose expensive equipment and confidential work.
Key takeaways from the Gamescom theft reports
- Multiple attendees reported missing laptops, computers, controllers, or other booth equipment.
- Some stolen devices reportedly held unfinished builds or other active development work.
- The incidents were described as happening overnight or in areas that exhibitors believed should be secured.
- Gamescom says venue guards provide general security and recommends insurance, while exhibitors can hire dedicated booth security.
- Ukiyo Studios says it experienced a similar PC theft at Gamescom in 2024.
Expert View
The most troubling part of these reports is not simply that equipment disappeared, but that exhibitors describe uncertainty about who was responsible for protecting it after hours. General venue security and private booth security may be separate services, yet the distinction is not always clear to teams focused on showing their games. Gamescom now has an opportunity to provide more transparent security procedures and reassure developers that participation will not expose their work to avoidable risks.
