gamescom organizers and participants are facing a new wave of criticism due to security issues at the exhibition. Representatives from Ukiyo Studios reported that two years ago, a computer was stolen directly from their booth, but an attempt to contact the police was allegedly blocked by a gamescom employee.
According to the developers, the exhibition representative then stated that filing a police report "would negatively impact the reputation of the exhibition and the city of Cologne." The company expressed hope that other affected participants would now be able to achieve justice and that the situation would finally attract the attention of the organizers.
The developers also emphasized that they participate in more than 15 gaming events worldwide annually, but gamescom is the only exhibition where they have to use a separate room for storing equipment. Every evening after the booth closes, employees move all computers and peripherals there, after which the room is locked.
However, even such measures, according to the company, did not completely help avoid problems. Representatives claim that something was stolen from them every year at gamescom. Until now, these incidents were perceived as a kind of "cost of holding the exhibition in Germany."