The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is preparing to showcase a groundbreaking, first‑ever global survey of game‑focused incubator and accelerator programs during this week’s Gamescom 2026 event. This initiative seeks to provide the broader games community with a comprehensive snapshot of the myriad organisations that nurture fledgling studios, offering insights that have previously been scattered or unavailable. The dataset behind the presentation was compiled from the answers of 84 senior figures—leaders, managers and coordinators—who oversee incubation and acceleration schemes in a diverse range of regions, from North America and Europe to Asia‑Pacific and emerging markets in Africa and Latin America.
By aggregating these responses, the SIG aims to map the scale, structure, funding models, mentorship practices, and strategic priorities of these support entities. The findings will be unveiled for the first time at the IGDA Incubation SIG’s dedicated Gamescom meetup, providing attendees with a data‑driven portrait of an ecosystem that has grown dramatically over the past decade. "Incubators and accelerators have become increasingly pivotal in the games sector, yet we have lacked a clear, consolidated view of the ecosystem itself," explained Dr.
Pedro Santoro Zambon, one of the study’s principal investigators. "This census is an attempt to identify who is doing this work, how they are doing it, and what challenges they encounter." During the session, Chairperson Sho Sato will open the floor with a concise update on the SIG’s ongoing projects, highlighting recent milestones such as the development of best‑practice guidelines for mentorship and the launch of a shared resource hub for incubator managers.
Following Sato’s remarks, Linn Søvig, who leads the European chapter of the SIG, will discuss the importance of cross‑border collaboration among developer‑support organisations. Søvig will illustrate how partnerships between national incubators, regional funding bodies, and industry associations can accelerate knowledge exchange, harmonise eligibility criteria, and create smoother pathways for studios seeking assistance in multiple markets.
A particularly noteworthy segment of the program will feature Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE). Pendergrast will share CODE’s targeted strategies for uplifting Indigenous developers and other under‑represented groups, drawing on recent case studies involving Māori and Pasifika creators.
She will outline how culturally‑responsive mentorship, dedicated seed funding, and community‑driven networking events have helped these developers bring authentic stories to a global audience while preserving cultural integrity. The agenda will also include a presentation by veteran games industry figure Jason Della Rocca, who will explore the concept of "inception publishing." Della Rocca will argue that early‑stage publishers can act as more than just financiers; they can serve as strategic partners that equip studios with the operational know‑how, market insight, and sustainable business models needed to retain ownership of their intellectual property. He will provide examples of successful inception publishing arrangements, discuss potential pitfalls, and propose a framework for evaluating when such partnerships are most beneficial for emerging teams. Beyond the scheduled talks, the census data will be made available to participants in a downloadable format, encouraging further analysis and encouraging other researchers to build upon the baseline established by the SIG.
The IGDA hopes that by shedding light on the diversity of incubation models—ranging from university‑affiliated labs and government‑backed accelerators to private‑sector venture studios—stakeholders can identify gaps in support, share successful practices, and ultimately foster a more inclusive and resilient game development landscape. In addition to the quantitative findings, the SIG’s report will feature qualitative insights gathered from open‑ended survey questions. These narratives reveal common challenges such as securing long‑term funding, balancing mentorship with studio autonomy, and measuring impact beyond immediate commercial success.
Respondents also highlighted the growing importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing within incubator environments, noting that sustainable development practices are as crucial as financial viability. The broader implications of this census extend to policymakers and investors who are increasingly interested in the creative economy’s contribution to regional growth.
By providing a clear map of where incubators and accelerators operate, the study can inform decisions about where to allocate resources, how to design supportive regulatory frameworks, and which regions may benefit from additional capacity‑building initiatives. Overall, the IGDA Incubation SIG’s presentation at Gamescom 2026 promises to be a pivotal moment for the industry, offering a data‑rich, nuanced view of the support structures that are shaping the next generation of games. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the global landscape, actionable insights for improving collaboration, and a clearer sense of how to nurture diverse talent pipelines that can drive innovation for years to come.