The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (IGDA Incubation SIG) is set to unveil a landmark study at this year’s Gamescom, offering the first comprehensive, global snapshot of game incubation and accelerator programs. This unprecedented census, scheduled for presentation during the SIG’s dedicated Gamescom meetup, seeks to map the landscape of organisations that nurture nascent game studios, providing valuable insight into the scale, scope, and diversity of support mechanisms that have become increasingly vital to the industry’s growth.
The research draws upon the responses of 84 senior figures—program leaders, managers, and coordinators—who oversee incubation and acceleration initiatives in regions ranging from North America and Europe to Asia‑Pacific and emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. By aggregating data from such a broad cross‑section of stakeholders, the census aims to answer fundamental questions: Who is providing incubation services? What models of support are being employed? Which challenges are most frequently encountered?
And how are these programmes evolving to meet the needs of a rapidly changing market. "Incubators and accelerators have taken on a far more prominent role in the games ecosystem over the past decade, yet we have lacked a clear, data‑driven picture of that ecosystem," explained Dr.
Pedro Santoro Zambon, one of the study’s principal investigators. "Our census is an attempt to systematically catalogue who is doing this work, how they are structuring their programmes, and what obstacles they face on a day‑to‑day basis." During the Gamescom session, Chairperson Sho Sato will open the floor with a brief overview of the SIG’s recent activities, highlighting progress on ongoing research projects and outlining future priorities for the community. Following Sato’s introduction, Linn Søvig—lead of the European chapter—will discuss the importance of cross‑border collaboration among developer‑support organisations. Søvig will emphasise how shared best practices, joint funding initiatives, and coordinated mentorship networks can amplify the impact of local incubators, creating a more resilient and interconnected global support system.
A key portion of the program will feature Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE). Pendergrast will share insights into CODE’s targeted efforts to empower Indigenous developers, particularly Māori and Pasifika creators. By outlining specific outreach strategies, culturally‑responsive curriculum design, and dedicated funding streams, she will illustrate how tailored support can address systemic barriers and foster a more inclusive industry. The agenda will also include a presentation by veteran games industry figure Jason Della Rocca, who will explore the concept of "inception publishing." Della Rocca defines inception publishing as a proactive approach that equips early‑stage studios with the business acumen, strategic planning tools, and IP management knowledge necessary to build sustainable enterprises while retaining ownership of their creative assets.
He will argue that this model can serve as a bridge between traditional incubation—often focused on technical development—and full‑scale publishing, ultimately reducing the risk of founder burnout and ensuring long‑term viability. Beyond the individual talks, the census itself reveals several emerging trends. Preliminary findings suggest a noticeable shift toward hybrid models that combine physical co‑working spaces with robust virtual mentorship platforms, a response to the increasing globalization of talent and the lingering effects of remote work trends accelerated by the pandemic.
Additionally, many programmes report a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion metrics, allocating specific resources to under‑represented groups such as women, LGBTQ+ creators, and developers from low‑income regions. Challenges identified in the survey include funding volatility, difficulty in measuring long‑term impact, and the need for clearer pathways to market entry for indie studios.
Respondents also highlighted regulatory hurdles in certain jurisdictions, especially concerning intellectual property protection and cross‑border financing. The IGDA Incubation SIG hopes that publishing this data will not only inform policymakers and investors but also empower aspiring developers to make more informed choices about which incubator or accelerator aligns best with their goals.
By shedding light on the ecosystem’s strengths and pain points, the census aims to catalyse collaborative solutions, encourage best‑practice sharing, and ultimately strengthen the pipeline of innovative games that reach players worldwide. Attendees at Gamescom will have the opportunity to engage directly with the researchers, ask follow‑up questions, and explore how the insights can be applied within their own organisations. The SIG plans to release a full report later in the year, accompanied by a searchable database that will allow stakeholders to filter programmes by region, focus area, funding model, and target audience. In summary, the upcoming presentation at Gamescom marks a pivotal moment for the global games development community.
By delivering the first data‑driven, worldwide census of incubation and acceleration programmes, the IGDA Incubation SIG is laying the groundwork for a more transparent, collaborative, and inclusive future for game creators everywhere.