The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (IGDA Incubation SIG) is set to unveil a landmark study at this year’s Gamescom, offering the first comprehensive, global snapshot of game incubation and accelerator programs. The unveiling will take place during the SIG’s dedicated Gamescom meetup, where the findings will be shared with developers, investors, policymakers, and anyone interested in the support structures that nurture emerging game studios.
The research behind the census is built on responses from 84 senior figures—program leaders, managers, and coordinators—who oversee incubation and acceleration initiatives in a wide variety of settings, ranging from university-affiliated incubators to private‑sector accelerators and government‑backed support schemes. By gathering data from such a diverse pool, the study aims to map out the size, scope, and operational models of the ecosystem that has, in recent years, become a crucial stepping stone for new developers seeking funding, mentorship, and industry connections.
"Incubators and accelerators are increasingly central to the health and growth of the games sector, yet we have lacked a clear, data‑driven picture of how this ecosystem functions," explained Dr. Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project.
"Our census is an attempt to identify who is providing these services, what methods they employ, and the obstacles they encounter in delivering effective support." During the session, Chairperson Sho Sato will open with a brief overview of the SIG’s activities over the past year, highlighting milestones such as new partnership agreements, mentorship frameworks, and the development of best‑practice guidelines for incubator design. Following Sato’s introduction, Linn Søvig, who heads the European chapter of the IGDA Incubation SIG, will discuss the importance of cross‑border collaboration. Søvig will examine how regional initiatives can share resources, align curricula, and co‑host events to avoid duplication of effort while amplifying impact for developers operating in multiple markets.
A key portion of the presentation will be dedicated to inclusive support strategies. Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence, will share insights into programs that specifically target Indigenous creators and other under‑represented groups. Pendergrast will outline the work of the Centre’s CODE initiative, which partners with Māori and Pasifika developers to provide culturally relevant mentorship, funding pathways, and market access.
Her talk will illustrate how tailored support can address systemic barriers and foster a more diverse pipeline of talent within the global games industry. The final speaker, veteran games industry advocate Jason Della Rocca, will introduce the concept of “inception publishing.” This emerging model proposes that publishers engage with studios at the earliest stages of development, offering not just capital but also strategic guidance on business planning, IP management, and sustainable growth. Della Rocca will argue that such early‑stage collaboration can help studios retain ownership of their intellectual property while building the operational foundation needed to thrive in a competitive market.
Beyond the individual presentations, the census itself contains a wealth of quantitative and qualitative data. Respondents provided details on program size (average cohort numbers, funding caps, and duration), mentorship structures (frequency of mentor‑studio interactions, areas of expertise covered), and success metrics (percentage of alumni that secure follow‑on funding, launch commercial products, or achieve sustainable revenue streams). The study also captured challenges faced by program operators, including difficulties in securing long‑term financing, measuring impact, and navigating regulatory environments that differ from country to country. One of the most striking findings is the geographic dispersion of support mechanisms.
While North America and Europe continue to host the majority of large‑scale accelerators, significant growth is evident in regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, where emerging ecosystems are leveraging government grants and private‑sector partnerships to build localized incubator networks. The census highlights several successful case studies, such as a joint venture between a Brazilian university and a multinational tech firm that has produced three award‑winning indie titles in the past two years, and a Kenya‑based accelerator that focuses on mobile‑first games tailored to low‑bandwidth environments. The IGDA Incubation SIG hopes that the release of this data will spark conversation about standardizing reporting practices, sharing best practices across borders, and ultimately strengthening the pipeline that brings fresh, innovative games to market. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, suggest future research directions, and explore possibilities for collaboration with other incubator programs.
In summary, the upcoming Gamescom presentation marks a pivotal moment for the games development community. By delivering the first global census of incubation and accelerator initiatives, the IGDA Incubation SIG not only illuminates the current state of support structures but also lays the groundwork for more coordinated, inclusive, and effective assistance to the next generation of game creators worldwide.