Game industry: Almost every third person lost their job in 2025

Almost every third professional in the game industry lost their job in 2025. This is the result of a survey by the GDC game fair, in which 2300 people worldwide participated. The respondents include not only developers but also executives, producers, marketing staff, and investors.

According to the GDC, 28 percent of respondents worldwide lost their jobs last year, and as many as 33 percent in the USA. The organizers of the game fair admit that the study is not necessarily globally representative. However, it does show the pressure the industry has been under for years.

Especially large studios affected

According to the survey, cuts were particularly prevalent at triple-A studios, i.e., very large development companies: two-thirds of respondents working at triple-A studios confirmed job cuts at their own company in 2025. Among individuals working at indie studios, only one-third reported layoffs within the company.

The GDC publishes such survey results annually. In last year's report, the GDC reported that one in ten employees in the game industry had lost their jobs. 41 percent of the 3000 respondents at the time stated that they had directly experienced the effects of layoffs or had observed them in other teams. This was already considered a particularly difficult year, but the situation in 2025 was even worse again.

AI skepticism is growing

Not only is concern about jobs growing in the industry, but so is skepticism towards generative AI. In last year's report, the GDC still reported that 27 percent of respondents were not interested in using generative AI.

In the previous year's survey, 30 percent of respondents stated that generative AI had a negative impact on the game industry. Now, more than half of respondents see it that way. Only 7 percent of respondents believe that generative AI has a positive impact on the industry.

Generative AI is already being used frequently: 36 percent of respondents use AI in their jobs. This again shows that AI is not necessarily used in actual game development but often in publishing, management teams, and marketing. The report on the game industry can be downloaded after registration on the GDC website. The GDC is considered the most important trade fair for game developers. This year it will take place from May 9th to 13th in San Francisco.

(dahe)