The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is set to unveil a landmark study at this year’s Gamescom, delivering the industry’s inaugural comprehensive overview of game incubation and accelerator programs worldwide. The presentation, scheduled for the IGDA Incubation SIG’s dedicated meetup during the convention, will showcase findings gathered from a broad cross‑section of leaders who manage these critical support structures for emerging studios.
The research effort compiled responses from 84 senior figures—program heads, managers, and coordinators—who oversee incubation and acceleration initiatives in regions spanning North America, Europe, Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Africa. By aggregating data on program size, funding models, mentorship structures, selection criteria, and measurable outcomes, the census paints a detailed portrait of how the ecosystem functions and where it encounters obstacles.
This is the first time such a global snapshot has been assembled, offering stakeholders a valuable benchmark for comparison and collaboration. "Incubators and accelerators have become increasingly pivotal in nurturing new talent and innovative projects within the games sector, yet we have lacked a clear, data‑driven understanding of the ecosystem as a whole," explained Dr.
Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project. "Our census seeks to identify who is providing these services, the methods they employ, and the challenges they face, so that the community can make more informed decisions about resource allocation and partnership opportunities." The session will open with remarks from Chairperson Sho Sato, who will outline recent developments within the SIG, including new outreach initiatives and plans for future data collection cycles. Following Sato, Linn Søvig, who heads the European chapter of the SIG, will discuss the importance of cross‑border cooperation among developer‑support organisations. Søvig will highlight case studies where European incubators have partnered with counterparts in Asia and North America to co‑host demo days, share mentorship expertise, and facilitate joint funding opportunities, underscoring the benefits of a truly international network.
A significant portion of the program will focus on diversity and inclusion in the incubation landscape. Vee Pendergrast, Industry Development Manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence, will present insights into how targeted programmes are supporting Indigenous creators and other under‑represented groups. Pendergrast will detail the Centre’s CODE initiative, which works closely with Māori and Pasifika developers to provide culturally relevant mentorship, funding pathways, and market access. By sharing metrics on participant retention, game launch success rates, and community impact, the presentation aims to illustrate how inclusive practices can be integrated into the broader incubation model.
Veteran industry figure Jason Della Rocca will close the lineup with a talk on "inception publishing," a concept that emphasizes early‑stage education for studios on sustainable business practices, intellectual property management, and long‑term growth strategies. Della Rocca will argue that beyond providing capital, incubators should act as knowledge hubs that empower developers to retain creative control while building viable commercial enterprises.
He will cite examples of successful inception publishing programmes that have helped studios navigate publishing contracts, negotiate revenue splits, and establish robust post‑launch support structures. Beyond the individual presentations, the census data will be made available to attendees in a downloadable report, enabling game developers, investors, policymakers, and academic researchers to explore trends such as regional funding disparities, common success factors, and emerging gaps in support services.
The IGDA hopes that the visibility of this information will encourage new collaborations, inspire the creation of missing support mechanisms, and ultimately strengthen the pipeline of innovative games entering the market. In summary, the IGDA Incubation SIG’s debut global census represents a pivotal step toward demystifying the network of incubators and accelerators that underpin the modern games industry. By collecting and sharing systematic data, the SIG aims to foster a more transparent, collaborative, and inclusive environment for emerging studios worldwide.
Attendees at Gamescom 2026 are invited to join the discussion, ask questions of the research team, and contribute ideas for future iterations of the study, ensuring that the ecosystem continues to evolve in step with the needs of developers across the globe.