The International Game Developers Association’s Incubation Special Interest Group (SIG) is set to unveil a groundbreaking global survey of game incubation and accelerator programs during this week’s Gamescom 2026 event. This initiative marks the first time the industry will receive a comprehensive overview of the myriad organizations that nurture fledgling studios and help them scale. The data behind the survey were gathered from 84 senior figures—leaders, managers and coordinators—who oversee incubation and acceleration efforts across continents. By tapping into the experiences and insights of these professionals, the SIG has compiled a detailed portrait of the ecosystem that supports emerging developers.
The findings will be shared for the first time at the SIG’s dedicated Gamescom meetup, offering attendees a rare glimpse into the structures, strategies, and challenges that define this rapidly evolving sector. "We recognize that incubators and accelerators are becoming increasingly pivotal to the health and growth of the games industry, yet we have lacked a clear, consolidated view of the ecosystem itself," explained Dr.
Pedro Santoro Zambon, a leading researcher on the project. "This census is an effort to map out who is doing this work, how they are doing it, and what obstacles they encounter along the way." The presentation will open with remarks from Chairperson Sho Sato, who will provide updates on the SIG’s ongoing initiatives and outline the next steps for the group’s research agenda. Following Sato, Linn Søvig, who heads the European chapter of the Incubation SIG, will discuss the importance of cross‑border collaboration among developer‑support organisations, highlighting successful partnerships and pointing out areas where further cooperation could amplify impact.
A key segment of the session will be devoted to inclusivity and diversity in game development. Vee Pendergrast, the industry development manager at New Zealand’s Centre of Digital Excellence, will share the Centre’s strategies for assisting Indigenous creators and other under‑represented groups.
She will spotlight the work of CODE—Creative Opportunities for Development and Education—in fostering Māori and Pasifika talent, describing specific mentorship programmes, funding pathways, and community‑building activities that have yielded measurable results. The agenda will also feature veteran industry figure Jason Della Rocca, who will introduce 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 market positioning can dramatically increase their chances of success while preserving creative control. He will illustrate his points with case studies of studios that benefited from early publishing support, outlining the practical steps that incubators can take to embed these principles into their curricula. Beyond the scheduled talks, the census data itself will be made available to the public in a detailed report, complete with quantitative metrics such as the number of programmes active in each region, average funding amounts, typical cohort sizes, and success‑rate statistics.
Qualitative insights will also be featured, including common pain points like talent acquisition, regulatory navigation, and scaling challenges. By delivering both macro‑level trends and granular, on‑the‑ground perspectives, the SIG hopes to equip policymakers, investors, and aspiring developers with actionable intelligence. The broader significance of this effort cannot be overstated.
As the games industry continues to expand—driven by emerging technologies like virtual reality, cloud gaming, and AI‑generated content—support structures must evolve in tandem. Incubators and accelerators serve as critical bridges, translating innovative ideas into market‑ready products. Yet without a clear understanding of how these entities operate worldwide, opportunities for synergy and improvement remain untapped. Industry observers anticipate that the census will spark further research and dialogue, prompting additional surveys that track changes over time.
The SIG plans to update the dataset annually, creating a living resource that reflects the dynamic nature of game development support. Moreover, the findings could inform the design of new funding models, mentorship frameworks, and collaborative networks that better serve diverse creator communities.
In summary, the IGDA Incubation SIG’s upcoming presentation at Gamescom promises to deliver the first comprehensive, data‑driven snapshot of the global game incubation and accelerator landscape. By aggregating insights from over 80 program leaders, highlighting best practices, and addressing inclusivity, the SIG aims to chart a clearer path forward for both established and emerging stakeholders in the gaming ecosystem.