The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is poised to unveil a landmark study at this year’s Gamescom, offering the first comprehensive, global snapshot of game incubation and accelerator programs. Scheduled for presentation during the SIG’s dedicated Gamescom meetup, the findings promise to shed light on the myriad organizations that nurture fledgling studios and help them navigate the complex path to market. The research draws upon the insights of 84 senior leaders and managers who helm incubation and acceleration initiatives in diverse regions, ranging from North America and Europe to Asia‑Pacific and emerging markets in Latin America and Africa.
By aggregating responses from this broad cross‑section of program directors, the census provides a rare, data‑driven view of the scale, structure, and strategic priorities of the support ecosystem that has become increasingly vital to the health of the games industry. "Incubators and accelerators have grown into a cornerstone of the games sector, yet we have lacked a clear, consolidated picture of how this ecosystem functions," explained Dr.
Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project. "Our census seeks to map who is delivering these services, the methodologies they employ, and the obstacles they encounter, thereby giving stakeholders—from developers to investors—a more informed basis for collaboration and policy making." During the opening segment, SIG Chairperson Sho Sato will outline recent milestones for the group, including the development of best‑practice guidelines and new mentorship frameworks that have been piloted in several regions. Sato will also highlight the SIG’s ongoing efforts to foster stronger ties between independent incubators and larger industry bodies, emphasizing the need for shared resources and transparent reporting mechanisms. Following the introduction, Linn Søvig, who leads the European chapter of the SIG, will turn the conversation toward international cooperation.
Søvig will discuss how European developer‑support organisations have begun to coordinate cross‑border programs, enabling studios to access funding, mentorship, and market entry assistance beyond their home countries. She will cite examples such as joint accelerator cohorts between Scandinavia and Central Europe, and the emergence of pan‑European networking platforms that streamline knowledge exchange. A key portion of the agenda will be devoted to inclusivity and the empowerment of under‑represented creators. Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence, will present a case study on supporting Indigenous developers.
She will detail the Centre’s collaborative initiatives with Māori and Pasifika communities, including culturally‑responsive mentorship schemes, co‑creation workshops, and targeted grant programs that respect traditional knowledge while fostering commercial viability. Pendergrast will also explore how similar models can be adapted in other regions to address systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups. The session will conclude with a forward‑looking perspective from veteran games industry figure Jason Della Rocca, who will introduce the concept of "inception publishing." Della Rocca argues that providing studios with early‑stage business education—covering topics such as sustainable revenue models, intellectual property management, and long‑term studio health—can dramatically improve their odds of success.
He will outline a framework for integrating these lessons into existing accelerator curricula, thereby helping emerging teams retain creative control while building robust, scalable enterprises. Beyond the formal presentations, the census data will be made publicly available through the IGDA’s digital repository, allowing researchers, policymakers, and independent developers to explore trends such as regional funding disparities, common mentorship structures, and the prevalence of equity‑free versus equity‑based support models. The SIG hopes that this transparency will spur further investment in under‑served areas and inspire new collaborations that bridge gaps between established studios and nascent talent. In summary, the IGDA Incubation SIG’s debut of the global census at Gamescom marks a pivotal moment for the industry.
By cataloguing the breadth of incubation and accelerator efforts worldwide, the study not only validates the critical role these programs play but also provides actionable insights for strengthening the ecosystem. Attendees can expect a data‑rich, thought‑provoking experience that will shape conversations about how best to nurture the next generation of game creators, ensure equitable access to resources, and ultimately drive sustainable growth across the global games landscape.