The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is set to unveil a groundbreaking global survey of game incubation and accelerator programs during this week’s Gamescom 2026 event. This initiative marks the first time the industry will receive a comprehensive overview of the myriad organizations that nurture fledgling studios and help them transition from concept to market. The survey draws on data collected from 84 senior figures—leaders, managers and coordinators—who oversee incubation and acceleration efforts in regions spanning North America, Europe, Asia‑Pacific, Latin America and Africa. By aggregating responses from such a diverse cross‑section of the ecosystem, the research aims to paint a detailed picture of how support structures operate, what resources they provide, and which obstacles they encounter on a day‑to‑day basis.
"Incubators and accelerators have become increasingly vital to the health and growth of the games sector, yet we have lacked a clear, consolidated view of the ecosystem itself," explained Dr. Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project. "Our census is designed to identify who is delivering these services, the models they employ, and the challenges they face, so that stakeholders can make more informed decisions and foster stronger collaborations." During the IGDA Incubation SIG’s dedicated Gamescom meetup, Chairperson Sho Sato will kick off the session with a briefing on the group’s recent activities, including progress on policy advocacy, mentorship frameworks, and data‑driven insights that have emerged from the past year.
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 entities. Søvig will highlight case studies where regional incubators have partnered to share best practices, pool funding, and co‑host events that amplify the reach of emerging developers. A notable segment of the program will feature Vee Pendergrast, Industry Development Manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence.
Pendergrast will share the centre’s strategies for uplifting Indigenous creators and other under‑represented groups within the gaming community. She will detail initiatives such as the CODE (Creative Opportunities for Development and Education) program, which partners with Māori and Pasifika developers to provide culturally resonant mentorship, funding pathways, and market access.
By spotlighting these efforts, the session aims to illustrate how targeted support can drive both creative diversity and commercial success. Veteran game industry figure Jason Della Rocca will close the lineup with a presentation on "inception publishing." This concept revolves around equipping nascent 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—when framed as partnership rather than acquisition—can reduce risk for creators and foster a more vibrant, independent ecosystem. The census also uncovers several recurring themes across the surveyed programs.
Many respondents highlighted funding scarcity as a primary hurdle, noting that while seed capital is often available, follow‑on investment remains unpredictable. Additionally, mentors cited difficulty in measuring the long‑term impact of incubation services, calling for more robust metrics and longitudinal studies. Geographic disparities emerged as well; regions such as Sub‑Saharan Africa and parts of Southeast Asia reported limited access to high‑quality mentorship networks and infrastructure, underscoring the need for more inclusive global outreach.
In response to these findings, the IGDA Incubation SIG plans to launch a series of follow‑up initiatives. These include a mentorship exchange platform that pairs experienced developers from mature markets with emerging studios in underserved regions, a standardized impact‑assessment toolkit for incubators, and a lobbying effort aimed at securing public‑sector funding for game development ecosystems worldwide. Attendees at Gamescom will have the opportunity to review the full dataset, engage in round‑table discussions with program leaders, and contribute their own perspectives on how the incubation landscape can evolve.
The SIG hopes that by making this information publicly available, it will catalyze greater transparency, encourage collaboration, and ultimately empower more developers to bring innovative, diverse games to market. The release of this inaugural global census represents a significant step toward demystifying the support structures that underpin the modern gaming industry.
By shedding light on who is doing the work, how they are doing it, and where gaps remain, the IGDA Incubation SIG aims to foster a more connected, resilient, and inclusive ecosystem for game creators everywhere.