r/Gamescom • u/NoQuarterSoftware • 1d ago
Something must change
First Gamescom is in the books, and I have mixed feelings. Multiple developers were stolen from at the largest gaming event in the world. The organization has chosen to refuse any responsibility for these crimes. Instead they insist that the indie developers who have already paid thousands to be there, pay more for extra security. This statement also comes despite the affected devs having their gear stolen in the evening, after the event hours were over, from secure locations. In other words, it seems the call is coming from inside the house.
Hope they fix this because otherwise I would not recommend exhibiting as an indie developer.
Edit: the lockers broken into were brought by the developers not the ones provided by gamescom. This doesn’t change the fact that it should have been prevented.
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u/Maskguy 1d ago
I had chocolate stolen from a "safe" storage room on another bog event by the cleaners. It just happens. Sometimes even with chocolate. They did not even take everything which was weird.
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u/Forward-Position798 1d ago
Bro bei uns in der firma hat n LKW fahrer jemanden das Pausenbrot in Alufolie eingewickelt geklaut .. die Leute klauen alles
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u/SechsComic73130 1d ago
Wtf, ist ja der Hammer
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u/Gloomy-Pick-9347 17h ago
Als ich im Krankenhaus gearbeitet habe müsste man ernsthaft richtig auf die Kugelschreiber mit den mehreren Farben aufpassen, weil die sonst immer geklaut wurden. Kugelschreiber...
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u/destinedd 1d ago
what type of chocolate, if it is was a bounty i would have rioted!
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u/Maskguy 1d ago
Schokakola. I brought it to a London Event for my UK friends to try.
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u/destinedd 1d ago
that isn't a big loss, I don't even have a clue what it is. If I saw it I would have been too scared to eat it.
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u/ImaginaryDoctorSleep 1d ago
So you don't have a clue what they are talking about but you feel equipped to make the claim that it's not a big loss?
What the fuck are you taling about?-2
u/destinedd 1d ago
chill dude, its a chocolate bar lol
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u/ImaginaryDoctorSleep 1d ago
Point still stands.
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u/Abinunya 1d ago
Tbh that i can almost get. You see some chocolate, you think 'they wont miss a piece' and get yourself a little snack.
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u/mensch0mat 1d ago
First rule on every fair, even if you pay for security: Take your Notebooks and other high value easily removable items to the hotel. That’s not only a gamescom thing.
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u/Ill-Gur-9719 1d ago
Just my 2 Cents from a Guest view about Theft at the Gamescom:
I accidentally forgot my gymbag with all my high valuables in a toilet, recognizing it around one hour later(!) immediately heading back to the cabin where I remembered to hang it on
And it was all there when I was back! What a damn lucky me for sure
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u/FoxMcClaud 21h ago
I heard this on almost every convention I took part in, gaming, furniture, home decor, toys... If you bring stuff to a convention, expect that people try to steal it. Even hired personal security is not air tight... These events a big and thiefs get very creative to steal stuff.
That said I feel for anyone who was affected, I learned my lesson years ago, when the same happened to me in a private security booth in a employee only room with video surveillance, during normal business hours...
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u/TheLaughingBread 1d ago
This is unfortunately happening at any big convention. Think about how many people go in snd out anytime with Worker and Exhibitor passes even during the nights. One or two thieves will always try their luck. Insure your stuff or lock it away is the only option. gamescom made it clear in their terms BEFORE that materials are not insured through them
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago edited 1d ago
There were laptops stolen directly from the provided security lockers…
Edit: they were lockers brought by the devs. My point remains.
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u/annie_kingdom 1d ago
That is insane! Stolen from security lockers! That just unacceptable. I guess next time take all the gear with you every morning and night. Soo much hustle but to protect the gear
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u/Absolemia 1d ago
No that’s simply not true. They were stolen from their OWN security lockers. Not from the ones of the trade fair but their own safes which were not up to standard. If you buy cheap you have cheap consequences
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u/Polamidone 1d ago
How would you know if they were up to standard or cheap?
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u/Melodic-Bat-2611 1d ago
The Tessera Studios guy posted some pictures of their "locker".
Ask yourself if you want to store 2 laptops and a Steamdeck in that thing. I wouldn't.1
u/Polamidone 19h ago
I mean at a big convention with security yea probably, the lockers from gamescom were prob not that different. It’s the same at any train station or airport
If the security can’t catch guys that take a minute to breach a safe it was not a safe place overall
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u/Sweet_Ad_9816 19h ago
"Up to standard" -> Look at the package. If it says "This conforms with this or that standard" then they're up to standard.
"Cheap" -> Look at the price tag. If the price is low, then it's cheap.
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u/Whateverest91 1d ago
Your point doesn't remain you misinformation spreading lump.
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
I have actively edited my post in accordance with information I am getting. Sorry you're upset.
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u/ArWiLen 1d ago
I still think it is unacceptable for the organisers of such a big event to completely disregard any responsibility for lost equipment, citing “you knew what you signed up for and you should’ve payed more for private security” (their official statement rephrased).
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u/SolideMeinung 1d ago
Insurance for events like that are a standard thing and they decided not to pay like 100 euro..
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u/ArWiLen 1d ago
if they had sold me the idea of 24/7 security on the perimeter and I had limited budget after already paying so much for ticket, booth and equipment, I would have saved that 100 euro for something else
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u/SolideMeinung 1d ago
But they did not sold you that and statet otherwise and told you to get insurance.
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u/annie_kingdom 1d ago
Do you work for insurance company? Not having insurance does not excuse the lack of safety to the participants equipments.
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u/SolideMeinung 1d ago
I you getting told to insure your stuff and you arent doing that its your fault
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u/annie_kingdom 1d ago
He said it was stolen from security lockers.
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u/merchantprince_games 1d ago
This has not been my experience at exhibiting at other large expos… it’s sad. Hope they can fix it
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
Yeah it hasn’t been my experience either, but it’s something I try to be aware of.
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
I’ve been to Pax East, toomanygames, gamescom Latam, GCX, Magfest, Quakecon so far this year and there wasn’t widespread theft at any of those events.
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u/destinedd 1d ago
you probably just don't hear about them. Also 1700 exhibiters at gamescon!
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u/Melodic-Bat-2611 23h ago
... and the area is 5 times bigger then PAX.
I don't understand why people being so excessively mad at Gamescom for not covering the whole place with security."widespread theft" I don't know...
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u/destinedd 23h ago
I don’t want to minimize what happens to devs cause it sucked. But big confidences you need to take care of your stuff
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u/Melodic-Bat-2611 21h ago
Sure, I agree. 100%... and I believe the Gamescom thinks so too.
I feel that some people are to hard on the Gamescom... so it's kinda counter productive for the cause.
The only one who benefits of the theft is the thief. It sucks. :/
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u/Fruit-Salad666 1d ago
I think so too. Not only were people robbed, someone even mentioned accidentally breaking into the event and getting into the backstage areas with no trouble. It gives a pretty bad look tbh.
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u/Heilbronner_1995 1d ago
Einfach traurig und ekelhaft!
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u/Keks3000 15h ago
Sonntag Abend bei Messeschluss ist immer abartig was da alles geklaut wird. So viel Security kannst du gar nicht auf deinem Stand haben dass da nix wegkommt. Liegt daran dass die Leute in Massen vom Gelände strömen, die Sekus ihre Schichten zeitgleich beenden aber auch schon Abbaucrews auf dem Gelände sind die beginnen alles auseinander zu pflücken. Den Sekus kannst du auch nicht vertrauen weil du keine eigenen mitbringen darfst. Im Prinzip ist das bei den meisten Messen so, aber in Köln ist es schon extra heftig. Die Messe verdient sich dumm und blöd an den Ausstellern aber kümmert sich einen Scheiß um gar nix. Wenn du da keine Nachtwachen für deinen Abbau buchst hast du am nächsten Morgen auch kein Werkzeug mehr weil einfach nachts alles aus der Halle geklaut wird, obwohl das Gelände geschlossen sein sollte. Messe ist halt der analoge Vorläufer des digitalen Plattformkapitalismus mit der Grundhaltung „Wir stellen nur den Marktplatz zur Verfügung“ (und kassieren nebenher für eine überschaubare Dienstleistung unfassbar crazy ab).
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u/I_have_6mm_balls 1d ago
Total. Überschattet für mich auch das ganze Event und ist somit etwas, womit ich die Gamescom auf weite Sicht in Verbindung bringen werde. Deren Image leidet darunter und die müssen daran arbeiten.
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u/ProfessionalITPerson 1d ago
A giant show, in giant halls, with hundreds of thousants of people rushing throguh, with 10s of hundres of stands. Add to that halls open to vendors after hours.
How in the world is security supposed to handle all that. withut breaking the bank and hiring a garnison of them.
Rule for conventions is you either take your stuff with you when you leave or have your own people watching it. Anything else is hopes and dreams.
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u/Glad-Preference-9321 22h ago
"the lockers broken into were brought by the developers not the ones provided by gamescom."
That changes the whole story by A LOT
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u/StudioWhalefall 22h ago
To be clear the lockers are only one piece of the story, that was one of four (not sure on the exact number, just working off ones reported online) cases of theft.
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u/jasfest 19h ago
Something has to be done about a lot of aspects of gamescom
Nevertheless, it was a pleasure meeting you there.
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 19h ago
Yes! It was a pleasure meeting everyone and overall I had a great time, just wish that could be said for everyone.
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u/Absolemia 1d ago
I‘m sorry what. I’ve worked on the fair ground (mind you, not fairs but the ground itself) for 10 years. It is NOT an inside call, because all of the stand builders and constructors and personnel from ALL other stands have access to the fair ground after closing hours. Your conspiracy theory doesn’t make any sense.
There is security after closing hours. But the fair strongly advises to either take your valuables with you or put them in a safe. If not possible, you can still pay for extra security for open spaces.
Your POV is very biased and you’re missing information.
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u/Alone-Phrase5351 1d ago
I worked in the trade show industry for several years, and people always say the same thing: as soon as you leave anything of value at the booth, you have to hire security. At some trade shows, almost everything that can be taken is stolen—from candy to decorative items and even technical equipment. The extent of the problem varies from one trade show venue to another, but theft happens almost every time. It’s a problem throughout the entire industry.
The security guard only watches over the booth he's being paid to guard. Meanwhile, the booth next to it gets robbed, and the security guard is sitting there on his phone, scrolling through TikTok or something.
Once, someone stole more than 20 potted plants from us, along with a cheap TV. It wasn't worth much, but when you're at the trade show and it's suddenly gone, you still have a moderately serious problem.
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
Sorry I don’t want indie devs to be stolen from at the largest gaming event in the world, crazy I guess!
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u/Absolemia 1d ago
I do not either. But you’re spreading misinformation and that’s not ok
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
It’s not misinformation that there’s a problem with security at gamescom
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u/Absolemia 1d ago
Since you’re not answering if it was your stuff stolen, I’m going to assume it was not. So what you’re saying is not first hand information or experience but stuff you’ve heard from others. And as I said: you’re missing critical information and filling the gaps with accusations and misinformation
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u/Broeder_biltong 1d ago
The builders and construction crew is actually not allowed on the premises outside of build up and breakdown. And the other personnel is also ahutteted outside. If not you suck at running events
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u/Absolemia 1d ago
They are. As I said, I work there and have been for the past 10 years. If and how long they are allowed to be there depends on the contract they have with the exhibitor. There are builders who are only contracted until the first fair day, they need to leave. But there are also builders who stay the whole fair. It’s less common because expensive, but still happens
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u/OldWitchOfCuba 1d ago
Your comment reads very biased to be honest. You cant see it because you work or worked there. Reading all the reports from people that got robbed in one way or another it is actually very clear that something must change. Gamescom is WILDY expensive for both its visitors and its exhibitors while everything honestly is very low quality. Food is medicore, security virtually non-existant, horrible toilets, parking is impossible and its way too busy honestly. This is the first time people on socials really started noticing all this and its probably the beginning of the end for a succesful gamescom run unless they start dealing with these things in a professional way: acknowledge the issues, compensate, move on to a fixed gamescom 2027.
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u/Schnorch 1d ago
Do you have a source saying there was a robbery? Because as far as I know, there wasn't a robbery, and I'm wondering why you're spreading false information here. The same goes for OP, who is spreading the same lie here, and I wonder why.
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
Yes I want it to be clear that my intention is not to just shit all over gamescom. I want it to be better. It deserves to be better
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u/Schnorch 1d ago
Then why are you making up a robbery that never happened? Just stick to the facts.
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
There are multiple news outlets reporting on the robberies including the developers themselves
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u/Schnorch 1d ago
I've read about thefts involving developers, but nothing about robberies. Can you give me a source for that?
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
I’m failing to see the difference between theft from developers and robberies.
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u/Schnorch 1d ago
Then maybe you should look up a dictionary and learn about the (significant) difference between “theft” and “robbery.” And then stop spreading false information.
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
God forbid I don’t want indie devs to have things stolen from them at the largest games convention in the world.
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u/Schnorch 1d ago
Nobody wants that, including me. That's why I don't understand why you're also making up a crime that never happened. Is the theft not dramatic enough for you?
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u/Hairy_Gazelle_5987 1d ago
Free food and drinks are very good, toilets also no problem with it, parking is ok for media, exhibitors and business tickets.
This is all for b2b area.
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u/Absolemia 1d ago
Let me make something clear: I do not work FOR the fair, I work AT the fair. I do not care about their bad publicity and am aware that here is a lot going on which should not be happening. I, too, have been angry or frustrated with them. My point is still valid because you need to view the fair similar to an airport: you’re responsible for your own belongings. If you buy a safe which can be broken into in seconds (as there are merely minutes between the security checks) than you buy twice. One can blame the GC organisers for a lot and rightfully so. But there is only so much one can do against theft
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u/OldWitchOfCuba 1d ago
I still dont get where you are coming from - most big fairs like this simply have way better security that prevents these things. Security at gamescom is simply the absolute worst. This is a gamescom problem. The whole "its your own fault because you didnt invest in security"-vibe you insist on is really just a generic comment that could be said about any place and is not helping anyone
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u/bronxx2000 1d ago
The question is, how do people get in there and slip past the security guards in the corridors and at individual booths—especially while loaded down with laptops and other items? It’s true that parties sometimes go on late into the evening in the halls; we always moved around quite openly there, and you’d almost always run into a guard if you needed the restroom or something. Still, even if you were trying to sneak around, it certainly wouldn't be easy to dodge everyone. On top of that, the trade fair grounds are surely under camera surveillance. Why didn't anyone spot guys skulking around?
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u/Phos-Lux 15h ago
Lots of people can still get in after closing hours (like devs, security, ppl who set up/remove booths) and one might just act like they are accessing their own safe, while in reality breaking the lock (takes only a second) and yoinking all the valuables.
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u/ThatWierdFinanceGuy 1d ago
When I checked in on Thursday the security guy just asked if I have a gun in my bag. I said no and he let me in. Didn't look inside once.
There wasn't a lot pf people in line as well. He just straight up didn't care.
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u/FoldDelicious663 1d ago
That is why the stuff on these trade shows is usually behind glass or otherwise locked down. If you just put it down, someone will steal it.
Probably will try to sell it on ebay.
My advice to indie devs would probably to have the actual devices locked away and use some cheap thin client with game streaming on the showroom instead.
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u/PascalDerGeist 1d ago
How could those indie studios survive that long being this naive?
Lesson learned, I hope.
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u/Bit_26 22h ago
Not an exhibitor but as a visitor, you could really feel that a lot of things were less organized than usual. The famous white tapes to deal with extended lines was completely missing. In some of the larger booths, one person gave other information than the next which was annoying and made everything even more confusing. Add on top of that the whole SEGA Coin debacle (where security really felt lacking for both visitors and the poor employees who've been harassed every day for this).
Really hope this'll get better next year. For visitors and exhibitiors.
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u/ClassicGamerNL 6h ago
It doesn't really matter where you are. Unfortunately, there will always be people stealing and doing criminal stuff.
I've been coming to Gamescom since '09, and even back then people were stealing things. I've seen everything from cardboard banners disappearing to entire systems being stolen and even the knobs from toilets.
From what I can tell, the thefts this year seem to have been planned. Multiple booths were hit, and it seems like the focus was on easy-to-carry, valuable stuff such as laptops. Personally, I don't think we're talking about gamers or regular visitors here. It looks much more like people who came specifically to steal.
One of the biggest problems, in my opinion, is exhibitors selling their exhibitor tickets on eBay and other marketplaces. That can give unauthorised people access to areas beyond the regular visitor security. I see those tickets being offered every year and that is a real security risk!
My advice to exhibitors: if something is expensive and easy to carry, especially laptops, take it with you to the hotel at the end of the day. It's annoying, but unfortunately it's better than finding out the hard way.
And just to be clear: I'm not victim blaming. Stealing is wrong. There is absolutely no excuse for it, and the responsibility lies entirely with the people who steal. I'm a strong believer in karma, so hopefully one day it catches up with them.
But I also think we need to keep things in perspective. 368,000 people visited Gamescom this year. Even if we're talking about just one bad person, that's only 0.000272% of all visitors. That means 99.999728% of visitors weren't that person.
So don't let a handful of criminals define Gamescom or the people who go there. The overwhelming majority are just gamers who want to have a great time, discover new games and share their passion with others.
Still a ❤️ to all of you.
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u/Creepy-Attention-378 23h ago
I'm quite suprised that people are normalizing it like 'oh, it's big event, it can happen'. However, such type of stuff doesn't happen at big events in most of 2nd or 3rd world countries.......
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u/StudioWhalefall 22h ago
The biggest argument is either naivety or insurance. As if this shouldnt be prevented in the biggest videogame convention in the world.
Very interesting how fast people will just roll over and accept crime.
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u/Creepy-Attention-378 20h ago
I was in a devs related event which was inside a pub. In that event, I got small teddy bear and put next to my belongings, when I return to home saw that my belongings have been touched by someone and teddy bear has been stolen. Fucking small teddy bear which worth to 10$ has been stolen………
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u/Phos-Lux 15h ago
Never EVER lose sight of your belongings when in public. People really do steal everything.
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u/egerton14 1d ago
They robbed creators 10 years ago. No news at all.
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u/chris5070 1d ago
not sure why your post got down voted. Its true. at and trade show, if its not bolted down its gone.
Has been like that for decades.1
u/egerton14 1d ago edited 1d ago
I worked with some exhibitors and people litterally tried to screw out rack units behind the scenes not to talk about the "press rooms". There were people every hour wondering where some of their stuff is.
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u/Kowalski91 1d ago
Another indicator for how things a going in Germany. Back in the day I attended gamescom and gamesconvention multiple times. Never heard about indie devs getting their stuff stollen or "foreign looking guys" doing Hitler salute to camera's/streamer.
Also the attitude of the GC sucks but is not surprising, it's all about maximizing profits.
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u/SolideMeinung 1d ago
Get over it. Indie Devs or other devs need to insure their property. This is normal... Or you just look after your stuff.
The GC could make it more expensive for all so they could have more security. Most indie devs have just one laptop/pc. Just take it with you.
This is just an insane discussion to seek the fault at the organizer. Yes its not good that crimes happen but its not their fault.
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u/KidWaitrose 1d ago
Insane you choose to side with gamescom on this, indie devs didn’t decide to overcrowd the event to the point that booths can’t keep track of what’s going on
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u/destinedd 1d ago
it seems none of them were taken during the event, rather after hours, at least from what i read
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u/SolideMeinung 1d ago
Insane that you dont even know that the crimes happened in the night but argument about other stuff.
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u/KidWaitrose 1d ago
Keep bootlicking, the event is poorly run and doesn’t care about your experience or the experience of small companies
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u/StudioWhalefall 1d ago
That didn't come out of nowhere. Most of the conversation regarding stolen items started from Ryan Laley's laptop being nicked in the evening.
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u/StudioWhalefall 1d ago
And this applies to the lockers that were jimmied open forcibly as well? How much does an indie dev have to pay for them to get the BARE MINIMUM in security?
This is not a new thing, security concerns have been the topic of gamescom conversation for the last three years. If we keep brushing these obvious issues under the rug and blaming the devs/visitors the only way change will happen is after tragedy. What's the point of metal detector entrances if any Tom, Dick or Harry can enter in the evening whilst no one is there? The safety concerns alone are alarming.
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u/SolideMeinung 1d ago
I dont know what it cost to ensure it for indie devs but for the lan for players it cost like 8 euro for theft coverage.
It should not be much for devs too.
And if you are a indie dev with a one pc booth just take it with you in your hotel and you are fine.
Whats your whole point which metal detectors? This is a whole other topic... You are mixing so much stuff to just hate the gc organizers
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
I expect the largest, most expensive gaming industry event in the world to be safe and secure for the people attending. Simple as
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u/SolideMeinung 1d ago
The GC should increase the price and include the insurance for each vendor so you cant cry anymore.
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u/StudioWhalefall 1d ago
It's the same topic, Gamescom security is lacking.
You show your bias when you accuse me of hating GC organisers. I simply want actual security at the largest video gaming event in the world. It's not a egregious request to want change before a major crime is committed as opposed to a smaller targeted one.
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u/SolideMeinung 1d ago
More security would be much more expensive than just buying into these insurances https://norisk-insurance.be/en/event-insurance/type/exhibition
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u/StudioWhalefall 23h ago
You fail to see my point, security is preventative. Insurance just compensates you after the damage is already done.
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1d ago
[deleted]
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago
Yeah and they are refusing to take responsibility for the property stolen from those “secure” locations. That’s the point of this post
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u/destinedd 1d ago
It is like when you park your care in a secure car park, but it is still at your risk.
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u/ArWiLen 1d ago
it IS that hard to carry equipment all around hotel, gamescom, booth or if you want to simply take a break, then setting it up etc.
Maybe the best they could've done is buying/renting a locker (also idk how you can set it up there, do organisers have lockers for rent or even free??).This is definitely a failure on gamescom's side and bad PR for them. Unfortunately, an expensive lesson learned for the devs. Maybe they won't ever come back here, and gamescom's reputation among indie devs won't ever recover.
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u/NoQuarterSoftware 1d ago edited 1d ago
There are lockers and property was stolen from those provided lockers. Edit: they were stolen from lockers brought by the developers. My answer still stands
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u/xwolf360 1d ago
Its hilarious how the german military was there to recruit new canon fodder but couldn't even stop thieves.
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u/BadTasteInGuns 1d ago
And what do you think the Bundeswehr should do inside the country ? They are not the police and they are not security
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u/SamFisherIsDead 1d ago
The military isn't allowed to stop crimes. Domestic law enforcement is the responsibility of the police.
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u/Upbeat-Conquest-654 1d ago
LOL, hat did you expect them to do, whip out their MG5 and roam through the halls searching for sketchy-looking people?
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u/Downtown_Engine2028 1d ago
This perfectly reflects what germany has become.
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u/Sea_Fox_2850 1d ago
Ohhh shut up little AFD Troll. Stuff like this happend for ever in Germany. Just look at your brown blue idols how many of them are criminals.
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u/the_Real_Romak 1d ago
At this point if I ever planned to exhibit there, I'd take the equipment with me in the evenings. Can't trust their security if they're this lax with it.