The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is set to unveil the inaugural global survey of game‑focused incubator and accelerator programs during this week’s Gamescom 2026 event. This landmark presentation aims to furnish the video‑game sector with its first comprehensive snapshot of the myriad organisations that nurture fledgling studios, offering valuable insight into the scale, scope, and diversity of support mechanisms that exist worldwide. The data underpinning the survey were gathered from 84 senior figures—leaders, managers and coordinators—who head incubation and acceleration initiatives in a variety of regions, ranging from North America and Europe to Asia‑Pacific, Latin America and Africa.
By collating responses from this broad cross‑section of experts, the research paints a nuanced picture of how these programmes operate, what resources they provide, and the obstacles they encounter in fostering new talent and innovative projects. "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 understanding of the ecosystem itself. This census is our attempt to map out who is doing this work, how they are doing it, and what challenges they face on a day‑to‑day basis." During the Gamescom meetup, Chairperson Sho Sato will kick off the session with a briefing on the SIG’s recent activities, highlighting progress made in building a collaborative network of incubators and accelerators.
He will also outline future objectives, such as expanding the survey to include emerging support models and tracking longitudinal changes in programme outcomes. Following Sato’s introduction, Linn Søvig, who leads the European chapter of the SIG, will address the importance of cross‑border collaboration among developer‑support organisations.
Søvig will discuss how sharing best practices, joint funding schemes, and coordinated mentorship programmes can amplify impact, especially for studios that operate in regions with limited local resources. She will cite examples of successful partnerships between European incubators and their counterparts in South America and Africa, illustrating how knowledge exchange can bridge gaps in expertise and market access. A key segment of the presentation will feature Vee Pendergrast, Industry Development Manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence.
Pendergrast will explore targeted strategies for uplifting Indigenous creators and other under‑represented communities within the gaming sector. She will detail the Centre’s CODE initiative, which works closely with Māori and Pasifika developers to provide culturally resonant mentorship, funding pathways, and technical training.
By highlighting case studies of games that integrate Indigenous narratives and aesthetics, Pendergrast will demonstrate how tailored support can lead to both commercial success and cultural preservation. The program will conclude with a forward‑looking talk by veteran industry figure Jason Della Rocca on the concept of "inception publishing." Della Rocca will argue that early‑stage publishers can play a critical role by equipping studios with the business acumen, financial planning tools, and IP management knowledge needed to build sustainable enterprises from the outset.
He will outline a framework for inception publishing that emphasizes transparency, equitable revenue sharing, and long‑term partnership, aiming to help developers retain creative control while still accessing the resources required for growth. Beyond the individual presentations, the census itself offers several actionable insights for stakeholders. First, it reveals a concentration of incubator activity in certain hubs—such as North America, Western Europe, and East Asia—while also identifying emerging hotspots in regions like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Sub‑Saharan Africa. Second, the data highlight common challenges, including limited access to capital, difficulties in scaling mentorship programmes, and the need for more inclusive recruitment practices.
Third, the survey underscores the growing demand for specialised support in areas like live‑service game design, ethical monetisation, and accessibility compliance. The SIG plans to make the full dataset publicly available later this year, encouraging researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to dive deeper into the findings. By doing so, the IGDA hopes to stimulate evidence‑based policy development, foster more effective funding models, and ultimately create a more resilient, diverse, and innovative global games ecosystem.
Attendees of the Gamescom meetup will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and propose collaborations that could shape the next iteration of the census. The SIG invites anyone involved in game development—whether as a studio founder, educator, investor, or community organiser—to join the conversation and contribute to building a more transparent and supportive environment for the next generation of game creators.