The labor market in the gaming industry is going through a serious crisis. According to the GDC report "State of the Game Industry 2026" (a survey of more than 2,300 professionals), 28% of developers lost their jobs over the past two years. In the United States, the situation is even worse - one in three specialists has been left without work.
Experts compare major corporations to "ghost ships" that are laying off employees en masse while simultaneously expecting record-breaking results from those who remain. For many, returning to the profession is nearly impossible: 48% of those laid off still have not found work, and 36% of those who lost their jobs one to two years ago remain unemployed.
The causes of the crisis are the short-sightedness of leaders and the pursuit of new trends. Companies are cutting costs by shifting funds to generative AI, which is blocking the market and depriving thousands of qualified specialists of employment opportunities.
The problem also affects future generations: 60% of teachers fear that students will not find work after completing their courses. Since 2022, nearly 40,000 people have lost their jobs in game development. Although the downturn slowed in 2025, concern about the future of the industry remains high.
