Hermes Vector

Gaming

GDC Report: Over Half of Laid-Off Game Workers Still Unemployed

The 15th State of the Game Industry Report finds 54% of laid-off video game workers remain unemployed, with overall industry unemployment rising to 21%.

By Hermes Vector

Checked against 3 sourcesVarietymezha.netmezha.ua
Illustration for: GDC Report: Over Half of Laid-Off Game Workers Still Unemployed

In brief

  • One in three game industry workers were laid off in the past 24 months, up from 28% in the prior report.
  • 54% of laid-off workers say they are still unemployed, and 62% of them have applied for 20 or more jobs.
  • Overall unemployment among surveyed workers rose to 21%, up from 13% in last year’s report.
  • 68% of respondents at AAA studios reported company layoffs in the past 12 months.

GDC Report: Over Half of Laid-Off Game Workers Still Unemployed

More than half of video game workers laid off over the past two years are still unemployed, according to the 15th State of the Game Industry Report released by the organizers of the GDC Festival of Gaming.

Layoffs and unemployment

One in three respondents (34%) have been laid off in the last 24 months, up from 28% in the previous report. The figure rises to 39% for U.S.-based respondents. Of those laid off, 68% were laid off in the past 12 months, and 54% say they are still unemployed.

Overall, 21% of those surveyed are unemployed, up from 13% in last year’s report. Among reemployed respondents, 9% have left the game industry and 4% have started their own companies or studios.

Nearly half (49%) said their companies have conducted some form of layoffs in the past 12 months: 68% at AAA studios, 35% at older indie studios and 14% at younger indie studios.

Job applications and other findings

Of those laid off, 62% say they have applied for 20 or more jobs, while 25% have applied for 100 or more.

The report is based on responses from over 2,600 game industry professionals, a 12% increase from the prior year. It was released earlier than usual, with organizers saying future editions will be published near year’s end.

The report also found that 40% of game industry professionals use generative AI tools as part of their job, up 4% year over year, and 57% of those say they use it daily. Usage is highest at mobile-only studios (70%) and among those working on free-to-play games (58%).

Why it matters

The data shows sustained job losses and difficulty finding new work across the video game industry, with layoffs concentrated at AAA studios and unemployment rising year over year.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.

Questions readers ask

What percentage of laid-off game workers are still unemployed?
54% of those who were laid off say they are still unemployed.
How many game industry professionals responded to the GDC report?
The report is based on responses from over 2,600 game industry professionals.
Which type of studio has conducted the most layoffs in the past 12 months?
68% of AAA studios have conducted some form of layoffs in the past 12 months.
What percentage of game industry professionals use generative AI tools?
40% of game industry professionals use generative AI tools as part of their job.
When will future editions of the GDC State of the Game Industry Report be published?
Organizers said future editions will be published near year’s end.

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