The Game Developers Conference released its annual State of the Game Industry survey this week, and the numbers paint a grim picture of job security in games.
According to the report, 33% of U.S.-based developers said they experienced a layoff within the last two years. Globally, that figure sits at 28%. When narrowed to just the past 12 months, 17% of respondents reported being laid off.
The survey also reveals that finding work after a layoff remains difficult. Around 48% of laid-off developers said they haven’t secured new employment yet. Even among those laid off one to two years ago, 36% are still looking for work.
Half of respondents said their current or most recent employer conducted layoffs in the past year. Looking ahead, 23% expect more cuts at their companies over the next 12 months, while 47% don’t anticipate layoffs, and 30% remain unsure.
The top reasons companies gave for layoffs were restructuring (43%), budget cuts (38%), market conditions (38%), project cancellations (32%), and strategic direction changes (31%).
The game industry has been hit hard by layoffs since 2023, following pandemic-era hiring booms and subsequent investor pullback. Rising AAA production costs and longer development cycles have pushed publishers toward cost-cutting measures, often targeting both support staff and core development teams.
Workers want unions
The survey also found that 82% of U.S.-based developers support unionization, with only 5% opposed and 13% unsure. Support runs highest among developers earning under $200,000, those who’ve been laid off in the past two years, and workers under 45. Notably, zero respondents aged 18-24 opposed unionization.
Labor organizing has gained momentum in the game industry over the past few years, particularly among QA teams. While unions typically focus on pay, benefits, and crunch policies rather than preventing layoffs outright, the high support numbers reflect growing frustration with job instability.
