在2026年德國科隆遊戲展期間，多名獨立開發者及發行商反映展位內的筆記本電腦、Steam Deck等硬體設備遭竊。展會主辦方此前已確認相關案件已報警，調查正在進行中。然而，主辦方最初的公開回應被指缺乏共情、語氣欠妥，引發業界廣泛批評。
日前，主辦方再度發表聲明，坦承初期溝通確實存在問題，表示「這些批評是合理的」，並向受影響參展商正式致歉。聲明中特別指出，此次失竊對小型工作室的打擊遠超設備本身的經濟價值——這些硬體中儲存著團隊數月乃至數年的開發成果，損失難以估量。主辦方同時感謝了事發後主動向受害者伸出援手的行業同仁。
We are aware of stolen hardware and take these reports very seriously and understand the frustration of affected exhibitors. Since many requests reached us, we would like to inform about general security regulations at the event: Uniformed guards provide general security across the venue. Individual stand security can be booked separately, and exhibitors are advised to insure equipment against theft. This is noted in the terms and conditions of participation and the technical guidelines. All cases have been reported to us and to the police, and investigations are already underway. We also want to ensure that the reported cases are individual cases, which we are very sorry to read. Because security has one of the highest priorities to us as an event and to see that indie developers are affected makes us very sad. At an event of this size, however, there will always be individuals attempting to take advantage of the situation. Our security measures are designed to minimize such risks as effectively as possible. https://twitter.com/gamescom/status/2093654741192433865
作為整改措施，主辦方承諾將在常規的展後復盤之外，專門針對獨立參展商開展安保專項審查，並計劃在未來數周內邀請獨立聯合展位負責人參與圓桌會議，共商提升安保的具體方案。此外，主辦方呼籲所有遭遇失竊的參展商及時向主辦方和警方報案，以便完整記錄案情，協助調查人員排查多起案件之間是否存
