Getting the most out of a games incubator
The early stages of running a new business is difficult, and this is no less true for game developers. Fortunately, there are programs and initiatives out there that can help give you and your new studio a leg up when it comes to overcoming the initial hurdles.
Incubators are one such initiative. As opposed to accelerators, which are focused on quickly growing established businesses with a minimum viable product, incubators tend to offer support over a longer period – often several months – as well as mentorship. Some even offer a co-working space, while others cater to remote studios, such as the upcoming Tentacle Zone incubator (applications for which close on January 11, 2023).
Regardless of the benefits an incubator offers, simply being part of the program does not guarantee success for your studio. Instead, it's about maximising the opportunities these programs offer you, and in this article, we'll explore the best ways to get the most out of an incubator with some of the alumni from previous Tentacle Zone cohorts.
This guide will cover
The whole purpose of taking part in an incubator is to learn the basics of building and running a business.
Seyed Nasrollahi, founder of Unifiq Games, says they can be especially beneficial for "new and smaller studios with little or no experience in the games industry."
He adds: "Having mentors who I made long-term relationships with and continued supporting me even after the incubator [was also a benefit]. And a demo day where I had the opportunity to pitch my project to publishers and broaden my network."
Elena Höge is founder of Yaldi Games and was part of Tentacle Zone's 2021 cohort, as well as at least three other incubators. She says incubators can be a great place for developers to
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