The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is poised to unveil a groundbreaking, first‑ever global survey of game incubation and accelerator programs during this week’s Gamescom 2026 event. This ambitious research effort aims to provide the video‑game sector with a comprehensive overview of the myriad organizations that nurture and accelerate the growth of fledgling studios worldwide.
The study draws upon the insights of 84 senior figures—leaders, managers, and coordinators—who oversee incubation and acceleration initiatives in a diverse array of regions, from North America and Europe to Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Africa. By gathering data directly from those at the helm of these support structures, the census captures a nuanced picture of how such programmes are designed, funded, and operated. The findings will be disclosed for the first time at a dedicated IGDA Incubation SIG meetup held on the Gamescom floor, offering attendees a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the ecosystem that underpins emerging game development talent. "Incubators and accelerators have become increasingly vital to the health and dynamism 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 seeks to map who is providing these services, the models they employ, and the obstacles they encounter on a day‑to‑day basis." The session will open with remarks from Chairperson Sho Sato, who will provide an update on the SIG’s recent activities, strategic priorities, and future plans for fostering collaboration among incubator and accelerator stakeholders. Following Sato’s introduction, Linn Søvig—head of the European chapter—will discuss the importance of cross‑border cooperation, highlighting how developer‑support organisations can share best practices, pool resources, and align their objectives to better serve studios that operate in multiple markets.
A particularly compelling segment of the presentation will be delivered by Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence. Pendergrast will explore targeted initiatives aimed at uplifting Indigenous creators and other historically under‑represented groups within the gaming community. She will spotlight the Centre’s CODE program, which has forged partnerships with Māori and Pasifika developers to provide culturally resonant mentorship, funding pathways, and technical training. By sharing case studies of successful collaborations, Pendergrast hopes to illustrate scalable models that other incubators can adopt to promote diversity and inclusion.
Veteran game‑industry figure Jason Della Rocca will close the lineup with a talk on the concept of "inception publishing." Della Rocca will argue that early‑stage publishing support—delivering strategic guidance on business planning, market positioning, and IP management—can empower studios to build sustainable enterprises while retaining ownership of their creative assets. He will reference several real‑world examples where inception publishing helped nascent teams avoid common pitfalls such as premature monetisation, over‑extension, or loss of creative control. Beyond the formal presentations, the census data itself will be made available to the broader community through an online portal, enabling researchers, policymakers, and aspiring developers to explore trends in funding sources, mentorship structures, geographic distribution, and success metrics.
The IGDA hopes that this transparency will spark a dialogue about standardising best practices, addressing gaps in support for marginalized creators, and encouraging investment in regions that are currently under‑served. In summary, the IGDA Incubation SIG’s debut at Gamescom marks a pivotal moment for the industry: a data‑driven snapshot of the incubation landscape, insights from seasoned practitioners, and a call to action for greater collaboration and inclusivity. As the sector continues to evolve, the census will serve as a living document, periodically updated to reflect new entrants, emerging models, and shifting challenges, ensuring that the ecosystem remains responsive to the needs of tomorrow’s game‑making innovators.