The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is set 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 industry with its initial comprehensive overview of the myriad organizations that nurture and accelerate emerging development studios. The data behind the survey were gathered from 84 senior leaders and managers who oversee incubation and acceleration initiatives in diverse regions around the world. By tapping into the insights of these program heads, the SIG has compiled a detailed snapshot of the current state of the ecosystem, including the types of support offered, funding models, mentorship structures, and the specific challenges these entities encounter.
The findings will be disclosed for the first time at the IGDA Incubation SIG’s dedicated Gamescom meetup, offering attendees a rare glimpse into the behind‑the‑scenes mechanisms that help fledgling studios grow. "Incubators and accelerators have become increasingly vital to the health and dynamism of the games industry, yet we have lacked a clear, data‑driven map of the ecosystem itself," explained Dr. Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project.
"This census is our attempt to identify who is operating these programs, how they are structured, and what obstacles they face in delivering value to developers." During the session, Chairperson Sho Sato will kick off the meeting with a summary of the SIG’s recent activities and progress toward its strategic goals. He will highlight how the group’s ongoing work—ranging from policy advocacy to knowledge‑sharing workshops—has helped shape a more supportive environment for indie creators. Following Sato’s introduction, Linn Søvig, who leads the European chapter of the Incubation SIG, will discuss the importance of cross‑border collaboration among developer‑support organisations.
Søvig will illustrate how partnerships between national incubators, regional accelerators, and international funding bodies can create synergies that amplify resources, share best practices, and open new market opportunities for studios that might otherwise remain isolated. The program will also feature Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence.
Pendergrast will present case studies on how the centre supports Indigenous developers and other under‑represented groups, with a particular focus on the CODE initiative’s work with Māori and Pasifika creators. She will outline concrete strategies—such as culturally‑responsive mentorship, targeted grant schemes, and community‑building events—that have proven effective in fostering inclusive growth within the sector. Finally, veteran games industry figure Jason Della Rocca will deliver a talk on the concept of "inception publishing." Della Rocca will argue that providing studios with early‑stage guidance on sustainable business practices, intellectual‑property management, and long‑term financial planning can dramatically improve their chances of success. He will share examples of how inception publishing models have enabled developers to retain ownership of their IP while still accessing the expertise and resources traditionally offered by larger publishers.
The broader significance of this census lies in its potential to inform policy makers, investors, and educational institutions about where gaps exist in the support network for emerging studios. By identifying common pain points—such as limited access to capital, insufficient mentorship, or geographic isolation—the research can help shape targeted interventions that strengthen the overall health of the games development ecosystem.
In addition to the quantitative findings, the SIG will release qualitative insights gathered from interviews with program leaders. These narratives shed light on the motivations driving incubators and accelerators, the evolving criteria they use to select participants, and the measurable outcomes they track to assess impact. For instance, many programs reported that a key success metric is the proportion of alumni studios that secure follow‑on funding or achieve commercial releases within three years of graduation. Attendees at Gamescom will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and suggest avenues for future research.
The SIG plans to update the census on a regular basis, turning it into a living repository that reflects the dynamic nature of the industry. By maintaining an up‑to‑date database, the organization hopes to foster transparency, encourage collaboration, and ultimately accelerate the growth of innovative, diverse, and financially viable game studios worldwide. Overall, the unveiling of this first global census marks a pivotal moment for the games community.
It not only shines a light on the hidden infrastructure that supports new talent but also equips stakeholders with the data needed to make informed decisions, allocate resources more effectively, and champion a more inclusive and resilient industry for years to come.