The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is set to unveil the inaugural global survey of game incubation and accelerator programs during this week’s Gamescom 2026 event. This landmark research aims to furnish the games industry with its first comprehensive overview of the myriad organisations that nurture fledgling studios, offering insight into their structures, methodologies, and the obstacles they encounter. The data behind the survey were gathered from 84 senior figures—program leaders, managers, and directors—who oversee incubation and acceleration initiatives across continents.
By reaching out to a diverse cross‑section of participants, the study captures a broad spectrum of operational models, ranging from university‑affiliated incubators in Europe to government‑backed accelerator schemes in Asia and privately funded mentorship hubs in North America. The findings will be disclosed for the first time at the IGDA Incubation SIG’s dedicated Gamescom meetup, providing attendees with a rare, data‑driven snapshot of the support ecosystem that is increasingly vital to the health of the industry. "We recognise that incubators and accelerators have become pivotal in shaping the next generation of game developers, yet we have lacked a clear, consolidated picture of the ecosystem itself," explained Dr.
Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project. "This census is an effort to map who is doing this work, how they are executing it, and what hurdles they face on a day‑to‑day basis." During the session, Chairperson Sho Sato will kick off the program with a briefing on the SIG’s recent activities, highlighting progress on mentorship frameworks, funding pipelines, and collaborative research initiatives. Following Sato’s introduction, Linn Søvig, who heads the European chapter of the SIG, will discuss the importance of cross‑border cooperation among developer‑support organisations.
Søvig will underline how shared best practices and joint funding opportunities can amplify the impact of local incubators, enabling them to scale successful models across the continent and beyond. A key segment of the presentation will be delivered by Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence. Pendergrast will explore targeted strategies for uplifting Indigenous developers and other under‑represented groups within the gaming sector. She will reference the Centre’s CODE programme, which works closely with Māori and Pasifika creators to provide culturally resonant mentorship, technical training, and access to market channels.
By showcasing these initiatives, Pendergrast aims to illustrate how tailored support can address systemic inequities and foster a more inclusive creative landscape. Veteran games industry figure Jason Della Rocca will close the session with a talk on "inception publishing," a concept that advocates for equipping studios early in their development cycle with the knowledge and tools needed to build sustainable businesses while retaining ownership of their intellectual property.
Della Rocca will argue that this proactive approach can reduce reliance on later‑stage publishing deals that often compromise creative control, and he will outline practical steps for incubators to embed business education into their curricula. Beyond the formal presentations, the census data will serve as a foundational resource for future policy discussions, investment decisions, and academic research.
By identifying common challenges—such as limited access to capital, difficulties in scaling prototypes, and gaps in market expertise—the survey equips stakeholders with evidence‑based insights to design more effective support mechanisms. Moreover, the study highlights success stories, including incubators that have helped studios secure publishing contracts, achieve critical acclaim, or transition to independent operation. The IGDA Incubation SIG hopes that the release of this global census will spark dialogue among developers, educators, investors, and policymakers.
By illuminating the diverse ways in which incubators and accelerators operate, the SIG aims to encourage collaboration, share innovative practices, and ultimately strengthen the pipeline that brings fresh, creative talent into the gaming ecosystem. Attendees at Gamescom are invited to engage with the data, ask questions of the researchers, and contribute their own experiences to enrich the ongoing conversation about how best to support the next wave of game creators. In summary, the upcoming presentation at Gamescom marks a significant milestone: the first systematic, data‑driven portrait of the worldwide network of game incubators and accelerators. With contributions from over 80 program leaders, the census offers a nuanced understanding of the ecosystem’s composition, its operational challenges, and its potential for growth.
The insights shared by Dr. Zambon, Sho Sato, Linn Søvig, Vee Pendergrast, and Jason Della Rocca will not only inform current stakeholders but also lay the groundwork for more inclusive, effective, and sustainable support structures for emerging game studios worldwide.