Indie Devs Report Laptop Thefts at gamescom
Solo developer Ryan Laley and other studios had laptops stolen from their booths at gamescom 2026, cutting their events short.
Ryan Laley, the solo developer behind the upcoming horror game Mimic, had his gamescom 2026 event cut short after his laptop was stolen. The theft occurred overnight on August 28, 2026, at the Cologne, Germany event, as Laley reported in a teary video on X/Twitter.
He described the theft as a raid on his booth. Laley stated the loss was a huge financial and mental blow. As an independent solo developer, he found the situation heartbreaking and frustrating. Police reports were filed, but Laley said he did not expect the equipment to be found or returned.
"I can't do my job," Laley said. He confirmed his gamescom was effectively over, though he planned to remain at the event without a booth.
Industry Response and Support
The story gained traction online, prompting responses from larger developers. CD Projekt Red, the studio behind The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, quickly chimed in. They apologized to Laley and promised to send him a few things, stating, "No choom should have to start from zero."
More direct help came from gaming industry expert Joe Henson, also known as Indie Game Joe and the developer of Don't Scream. Henson donated money to replace Laley's stolen hardware. Laley expressed immense gratitude in a follow-up post, calling Henson a champion for independent developers.
Laley later thanked the broader community for its support. He highlighted the friendly and supportive nature of the games industry, which he often discusses with students he mentors in Unreal Engine.
Other Reported Thefts
Laley was not the only victim. Publisher and collectible company iam8bit reported that two of its laptops were stolen overnight from its station in the business area hall. The company stated the theft disrupted its appointment schedule and risked the potential leak of unfinished game builds for Petal Runner and Escape Academy 2.
Another studio, Tessera Studios, developer of The Zibbo Show, also reported being robbed. The team arrived at its Indie Area booth on Wednesday to find a cabinet forced open. Two laptops and a Steam Deck were missing. The studio said the devices contained not only their gamescom demo but also personal, company, and critical information, calling the damage "pretty huge."
Gamescom organizers have not yet publicly commented on the thefts. IGN reported it has reached out for comment.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN.
