GDC Survey: Industry Layoffs Rise 6%, 36% Adopt AI, Strong Union Support

Taylor Keatsman

Published: January 30, 2026 1:47 PM ET

GDC Survey: Industry Layoffs Rise 6%, 36% Adopt AI, Strong Union Support

The recently released 2026 State of the Game Industry survey from the Game Developers Conference (GDC) sheds light on various industry trends. Conducted by GDC’s Informa in collaboration with Omadia and supported by Game Developer, the survey captured insights from 2,300 professionals in the field.

Key Findings on Industry Layoffs and Workforce Sentiment

The survey indicates a concerning rise in layoffs, with 28% of respondents experiencing job loss in the past two years. This figure escalates to 33% for developers based in the United States. Furthermore, 17% reported layoffs within the last year, marking an increase from 11% in the previous year’s survey.

Among game designers, particularly narrative designers, 20% faced unemployment. In contrast, only 8% of professionals in business operations encountered layoffs. A significant 48% of those laid off have yet to secure new employment.

62% of respondents work in game companies or studios.
45% of these are in independent studios, 31% in AAA studios, and 18% in AA studios.
Concerns over job stability are echoed by 74% of students, who fear for their prospects in the gaming sector.

Increased Support for Unionization

The survey revealed that interest in unionization among game industry workers is on the rise. While limited to US respondents, 82% voiced support for unionization, with 5% against it and 13% uncertain.

Support for unions is particularly strong among younger workers and those earning under $200,000 annually:

87% of earners under $200,000 support unionization.
88% of those laid off in the past two years favor union efforts.
No respondents aged 18 to 24 opposed unionization.

Regarding union membership, 2% belong to company-specific unions, while 10% are part of industry-wide unions. Additionally, 62% are interested in joining a union.

AI Adoption and Growing Backlash

AI usage within the industry has seen a significant shift, with 36% of respondents utilizing AI in their work. This figure varies by discipline, as 30% in game studios report usage compared to 58% in publishing and support sectors. Upper management leads with 47% AI usage.

However, sentiment toward generative AI is increasingly negative, with 52% of respondents claiming it adversely affects the industry. This is a stark rise from 30% in 2025. Workers in visual arts, game design, and programming express the highest opposition.

Game Engines in Focus

The survey also highlights a notable preference for Unreal Engine, which was identified by 42% of respondents as their primary development engine. Unity follows with 30%. This shift may stem from changes in survey methodology, focusing on those in development roles.

Unreal Engine adoption is particularly prominent:

59% in AA studios.
47% in AAA studios.
41% in newer indie studios.

Despite Unity’s continued presence, it remains more popular among older indie studios, with 54% still utilizing it compared to Godot, which only 11% of newer indie developers reported using.

For further details, the complete survey can be downloaded from Filmogaz.com.