The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is set to unveil a landmark study at Gamescom 2026, offering the gaming community its inaugural comprehensive overview of the institutions that nurture fledgling studios. This pioneering survey, often referred to as a global census, aggregates data from a diverse set of incubation and accelerator programs operating in various regions, providing unprecedented insight into the scale, structure, and impact of these support mechanisms. The research draws upon the responses of 84 senior figures—program leaders, managers, and coordinators—who oversee incubation and acceleration initiatives worldwide.
By gathering quantitative metrics and qualitative observations directly from those at the helm, the census paints a detailed portrait of the ecosystem that has, until now, remained largely invisible to the broader industry. The findings will be disclosed for the first time during the IGDA Incubation SIG’s dedicated meetup at Gamescom, a gathering that attracts developers, publishers, and service providers from across the globe. "Incubators and accelerators have become increasingly vital to the health and dynamism of the games sector, yet we have lacked a clear, data‑driven map of the ecosystem itself," explained Dr.
Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project. "This census is our attempt to identify who is delivering these services, how they are structured, what resources they provide, and the specific challenges they encounter on a day‑to‑day basis." The presentation will be opened by Chairperson Sho Sato, who will provide a status report on the SIG’s ongoing activities, recent milestones, and future priorities. Following Sato’s remarks, Linn Søvig, who heads the European chapter of the SIG, will discuss the importance of cross‑border collaboration among developer‑support organisations. Søvig will highlight case studies where European incubators have partnered with counterparts in North America, Asia, and Oceania to share best practices, co‑fund joint initiatives, and facilitate talent exchange programs.
A particularly compelling segment of the session will be delivered by Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence. Pendergrast will explore strategies for fostering inclusion within the gaming pipeline, focusing on initiatives that empower Indigenous creators and other under‑represented groups. She will detail the Centre’s collaborative work with Māori and Pasifika developers through the CODE (Creative Opportunities for Development and Education) program, illustrating how culturally‑responsive mentorship, funding, and networking can elevate voices that have historically been marginalized in the medium. Veteran game industry advocate Jason Della Rocca will close the lineup with a talk on "inception publishing." This concept revolves around providing studios with the knowledge, tools, and strategic guidance they need at the earliest stages of development, enabling them to build sustainable business models while retaining ownership of their intellectual property.
Della Rocca will argue that early‑stage publishing support can reduce reliance on later‑stage, often more exploitative, funding arrangements and can help maintain creative autonomy for emerging teams. Beyond the individual presentations, the census itself uncovers several broader trends that are reshaping how the industry cultivates new talent. First, there is a noticeable shift toward hybrid models that blend traditional incubation—offering office space, mentorship, and seed capital—with accelerator‑style sprint programs that focus on rapid prototyping, market validation, and investor pitching.
Many respondents reported integrating both approaches to accommodate studios at different maturity levels. Second, geographic diversity is expanding. While North America and Western Europe continue to host a concentration of programs, the data shows a rapid rise in incubators emerging in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa. These newer hubs often emphasize community‑driven development, local market insight, and partnerships with governmental or educational institutions to mitigate funding gaps.
Third, sustainability and impact measurement have become central concerns. A growing number of programs now track post‑graduation outcomes, such as revenue growth, employee retention, and the successful launch of titles. This focus on metrics reflects a desire to demonstrate tangible return on investment to stakeholders, including public funders and private investors. Challenges identified in the census include difficulty accessing capital for studios that do not fit conventional commercial molds, limited mentorship capacity in regions with nascent ecosystems, and the need for more robust legal and IP support services.
Respondents also highlighted the tension between providing hands‑on assistance and fostering independent decision‑making, a balance that can be hard to strike in fast‑moving development environments. The IGDA Incubation SIG hopes that by publishing these findings, it will stimulate dialogue among policymakers, investors, and established studios about how to strengthen the pipeline that feeds the industry’s future. The census is intended to serve as a living document, with plans for regular updates as new programs launch and existing ones evolve. Attendees at Gamescom will have the opportunity to review detailed charts, regional breakdowns, and case studies compiled in the report.
The SIG also invites participants to contribute additional data, share success stories, and collaborate on follow‑up research initiatives aimed at refining best‑practice guidelines for incubation and acceleration. In summary, the unveiling of this global census marks a pivotal moment for the games sector. By shedding light on the structures that support emerging talent, the IGDA Incubation SIG not only provides a valuable resource for current stakeholders but also lays the groundwork for a more inclusive, transparent, and resilient industry ecosystem moving forward.