Gamescom has apologised for the way it "communicated about the theft of hardware belonging to several indie developers" last week, admitting, "our first response did not strike the right tone, and it did not show the people affected the empathy they deserved".
Multiple exhibitors at Gamescom reported thefts of laptops and other equipment from their booths in Cologne last week, with one indie developer, Ryan Laley, saying the loss has effectively ended his show early. Iam8bit also reported two of its laptops were taken overnight from the same business area, as did Tessera Studios.
Addressing the thefts at the time, Gamescom said it was "aware of stolen hardware" and understood "the frustration of affected exhibitors", triggering further condemnation from attendees.
Now, in a new statement posted yesterday (4th September), Gamescom posted a follow-up statement on social media, saying the organisers "understand what this has cost you, and we should have said so from the very first moment".
Gamescom's full statement is attached below:
Over the past few days, we have received a great deal of criticism for the way we communicated about the theft of hardware belonging to several indie developers. That criticism is justified. Our first response did not strike the right tone, and it did not show the people affected the empathy they deserved. We are sorry.
A theft like this is far more than a material loss. It can ruin an entire Gamescom for the people it happens to, and it can destroy work that took months or years to build - work that, for a small studio, can be almost everything. To everyone affected: we understand what this has cost you, and we should have said so from the very first moment.
We have already begun talking with those affected - about the theft, about its consequences, and above all to listen.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.eurogamer.net/gamescom-apologises-indie-developer-hardware-theft-response
