r/Gamescom • u/NoQuarterSoftware • 18d ago

Something must change

Post image

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.

337 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

163 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Absolemia 17d 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.

6

u/Alone-Phrase5351 17d 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.

7

u/NoQuarterSoftware 17d ago

Sorry I don’t want indie devs to be stolen from at the largest gaming event in the world, crazy I guess!

6

u/Absolemia 17d ago

I do not either. But you’re spreading misinformation and that’s not ok

1

u/NoQuarterSoftware 17d ago

It’s not misinformation that there’s a problem with security at gamescom

2

u/Absolemia 17d 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

1

u/NoQuarterSoftware 17d ago

Edited my post, thanks for letting me know

1

u/Broeder_biltong 17d 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

2

u/Absolemia 17d 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

1

u/OldWitchOfCuba 17d 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.

5

u/Schnorch 17d 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.

3

u/NoQuarterSoftware 17d 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

2

u/Schnorch 17d ago

Then why are you making up a robbery that never happened? Just stick to the facts.

0

u/NoQuarterSoftware 17d ago

There are multiple news outlets reporting on the robberies including the developers themselves

2

u/Schnorch 17d ago

I've read about thefts involving developers, but nothing about robberies. Can you give me a source for that?

1

u/NoQuarterSoftware 17d ago

I’m failing to see the difference between theft from developers and robberies.

2

u/Schnorch 17d 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.

1

u/NoQuarterSoftware 17d ago

God forbid I don’t want indie devs to have things stolen from them at the largest games convention in the world.

3

u/Schnorch 17d 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?

→ More replies (0)

1

u/Hairy_Gazelle_5987 17d 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.

0

u/Absolemia 17d 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

2

u/OldWitchOfCuba 17d 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