GDC Festival of Gaming organizers released the data from their 15th annual game developer survey, the State of the Game Industry report. Over 2,600 game developers anonymously responded, and the results show increased generative AI usage, not too many developers working on PlayStation 6 or Xbox Project Helix next-gen projects as of yet, an increase in the number of developers in a union, and more.
“40% of game industry professionals report using generative AI tools as part of their job, up four points from the previous survey,” GDC reported. “57% of AI adopters use it daily. Usage is highest among those working at mobile-only studios (70%) and those working on free-to-play games (58%). Company policy tends to vary significantly by company size, with 27% of AAA workers feeling encouraged or pressured to use generative AI, compared to only 9% of indie studio workers.”
However, the report continued, “despite the industry’s increased adoption of generative AI, its use remains polarizing; 55% of respondents felt that it has a negative impact on games, which is consistent with 54% from the previous survey. Responses suggest that game industry professionals are forming nuanced stances on the topic. For instance, some respondents wrote that they see value in using generative AI tools for repetitive tasks, research, and prototyping, but others cited environmental, psychological, and societal concerns for their hesitation to use such tools. Others pondered whether generative AI could be an equalizer for marginalized and excluded groups struggling with cost, geography, or access.”
Meanwhile, 10% of survey respondents are currently developing for PS6, with 8% currently working on Xbox’s Project Helix. VR, augumented reality, or mixed reality game development is down to 3% of people surveyed, while Switch 2 development interest is up almost 10% to 47% this year.
Interestingly, overall support in the US for game industry worker unionization was down a tad, from 82% to 80%, but more respondents reported being part of a union – 15% this year compared to 12% last year.
Finally and unfortunately, a whopping 65% of those responding to the survey said that their mental health has suffered because of their job and the long hours – and that’s for those who are still employed. A full third of respondents have been laid off in the last two years, with two-thirds of that group saying they were laid off in the past year. And sadly, more than half (54%) of those who’ve been laid off have yet to find another job, though not for a lack of trying: 62% say they’ve applied for 20 or more jobs, with over a quarter (27%) saying they’ve applied for over a hundred. Overall, one-fifth of survey respondents (21%) are unemployed, up from 13% in the last report.
The next Game Developers Conference: Festival of Gaming will take place in San Francisco on March 1–4, 2027.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of IGN’s weekly Xbox show,Podcast Unlocked, and a co-host ofNext-Gen Console Watch. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at@DMC_Ryan.
