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 incubator and accelerator programs. This extensive census, scheduled for presentation during the SIG’s dedicated Gamescom gathering, aims to map out the landscape of organizations that nurture nascent game studios, providing industry stakeholders with valuable insights into the breadth and depth of support mechanisms currently in operation. The research underpinning the census draws on the input of 84 senior figures—leaders, managers, and coordinators—who oversee incubation and acceleration initiatives across a wide array of regions and market contexts.
By aggregating responses from these key decision‑makers, the study captures a diverse set of perspectives on how such programs are structured, the resources they allocate, the selection criteria they employ, and the outcomes they strive to achieve for participating developers. The data will be shared publicly for the first time at the IGDA Incubation SIG’s Gamescom meetup, marking a pivotal moment for transparency and knowledge‑sharing within the sector.
"Incubators and accelerators have become increasingly pivotal to the health and evolution of the games industry," explained Dr. Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project. "Yet, until now, we have lacked a clear, data‑driven picture of the ecosystem itself. This census is our attempt to identify who is providing these services, how they are delivering them, and what obstacles they encounter along the way." The session will open with remarks from Chairperson Sho Sato, who will provide an overview of the SIG’s recent activities, progress on ongoing initiatives, and the strategic direction for future research.
Following Sato’s introduction, Linn Søvig, who heads the European chapter of the Incubation SIG, will discuss the importance of cross‑border collaboration among developer‑support organisations. Søvig will highlight successful models of partnership between European incubators, illustrate how shared best practices can accelerate growth, and propose frameworks for more seamless cooperation on a global scale. A significant portion of the program will focus on inclusivity and the empowerment of under‑represented groups within the gaming community.
Vee Pendergrast, Industry Development Manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence, will present a case study on initiatives aimed at Indigenous developers. Pendergrast will outline the Centre’s collaborative work with Māori and Pasifika creators through the CODE (Creative Opportunities for Digital Excellence) program, detailing mentorship structures, culturally‑relevant curriculum, and funding pathways that have helped these communities bring authentic stories to market.
The agenda will also feature veteran industry figure Jason Della Rocca, who will explore the concept of "inception publishing." Della Rocca will argue that early‑stage publishing support—providing studios with strategic guidance, financial planning tools, and IP management advice from the outset—can dramatically improve the odds of long‑term sustainability. He will share examples of how such proactive publishing models enable developers to retain creative control while building viable business foundations. Beyond the formal presentations, the census data will be made available to attendees in both raw and visual formats, including interactive dashboards that allow users to filter by region, program size, funding model, and target audience. This accessibility is intended to foster further research, encourage data‑driven decision‑making among prospective incubators, and help policymakers understand where gaps exist in the current support network.
The broader implications of the study are significant. By illuminating the scale and diversity of incubation and acceleration programs, the IGDA hopes to stimulate dialogue about best practices, encourage the replication of successful models in underserved markets, and identify common challenges—such as funding volatility, talent retention, and market access—that could be addressed through coordinated industry action. Moreover, the census serves as a baseline for future longitudinal studies that will track the evolution of the ecosystem over time, measuring the impact of specific interventions and policy changes.
Industry observers anticipate that the findings will also influence investors and venture capital firms, who can use the data to pinpoint promising incubators that serve as pipelines for high‑potential studios. Likewise, educational institutions may leverage the insights to align curricula with the skills and competencies most valued by these support programs, thereby strengthening the talent pipeline. In summary, the IGDA Incubation SIG’s presentation at Gamescom 2026 represents a milestone in the quest to map and understand the global network of game incubators and accelerators.
By gathering extensive input from program leaders worldwide, offering a transparent view of current practices, and spotlighting efforts to broaden participation among Indigenous and other under‑represented developers, the census sets the stage for more informed, collaborative, and inclusive growth across the gaming industry.