The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (IGDA Incubation SIG) is preparing to unveil a groundbreaking global survey of game incubation and accelerator initiatives at this year’s Gamescom event. This extensive research represents the first comprehensive effort to map out the landscape of organizations that nurture nascent game studios, offering the industry a clear view of the support structures that are emerging worldwide. The study is built on data collected from 84 senior leaders and managers who oversee incubation and acceleration programs in various regions, ranging from North America and Europe to Asia‑Pacific and emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. By gathering insights directly from those who run these programs, the census captures a nuanced picture of how different models operate, the resources they provide, and the obstacles they encounter.
The findings will be shared for the first time during the IGDA Incubation SIG’s dedicated meetup at Gamescom 2026, providing attendees with a rare opportunity to explore the results in depth. "Incubators and accelerators have become increasingly vital to the games ecosystem, yet we have lacked a unified understanding of the overall network," explained Dr. Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project.
"Our census aims to identify who is delivering these services, the methodologies they employ, and the challenges they face in fostering sustainable development for new studios." The opening session will be led by Chairperson Sho Sato, who will provide a status report on the SIG’s ongoing initiatives, including recent collaborations, policy advocacy efforts, and educational outreach. Following Sato’s remarks, 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 European incubators have partnered with counterparts in Asia and the Americas, sharing best practices and jointly addressing common hurdles such as funding scarcity, talent acquisition, and market entry barriers. A key portion of the program will feature Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence.
Pendergrast will focus on inclusive support strategies, outlining how the Centre has tailored its incubation services to empower Indigenous creators, particularly Māori and Pasifika developers. She will describe specific initiatives—such as culturally‑responsive mentorship schemes, dedicated seed funding pools, and community‑driven networking events—that have helped under‑represented groups gain a foothold in the competitive gaming market. Veteran games industry figure Jason Della Rocca will close the lineup with a presentation on the concept of "inception publishing." This emerging model proposes that publishers work closely with studios from the earliest stages of development, offering not only capital but also strategic guidance on business planning, IP management, and long‑term sustainability.
Della Rocca will argue that such an approach can help studios retain creative control while building robust revenue streams, ultimately leading to healthier, more diverse game ecosystems. Beyond the formal presentations, the census data will be made available to the broader community through an online portal, allowing researchers, policymakers, and developers to explore trends over time.
The portal will feature interactive maps showing the geographic distribution of incubators, filters to compare program sizes and funding mechanisms, and dashboards that illustrate success metrics such as graduation rates, subsequent funding rounds, and commercial performance of alumni studios. The IGDA Incubation SIG hopes that this first global snapshot will serve as a catalyst for deeper collaboration across regions, inspire new models of support, and encourage transparency within the ecosystem. By shedding light on where resources are concentrated—and where gaps remain—the census aims to guide future investment, inform government policy, and help emerging developers locate the most suitable incubator or accelerator for their specific needs. Attendees at Gamescom will have the chance to engage directly with the researchers, ask questions about methodology, and discuss how the findings can be applied to improve the overall health of the industry.
The SIG also plans to host a round‑table discussion where program directors can share lessons learned, explore joint funding opportunities, and brainstorm ways to address common challenges such as scaling mentorship capacity and measuring long‑term impact. In summary, the IGDA Incubation SIG’s inaugural global census represents a pivotal step toward mapping the support infrastructure that underpins the next generation of game creators. By collecting and disseminating detailed, data‑driven insights, the SIG aims to empower both established and emerging stakeholders to make informed decisions, foster inclusive growth, and ultimately strengthen the worldwide games development community.