Report · May 1, 2024

State of the Game Industry 2025

Published by Informa

Summary

The global game industry entered 2025 defined by a paradox of technological advancement and profound structural instability. While PC remains the dominant platform for 80% of projects, the workforce faces significant volatility, with 41% of developers impacted by layoffs or studio closures over the past year. This instability has triggered a shift in studio composition, marked by a decline in AAA representation to 15% and a corresponding rise in solo developers, who now constitute 21% of the workforce. Despite these pressures, the industry continues to diversify, with women and non-binary individuals making up 32% of the workforce and LGBTQ+ representation reaching 25%. Operational trends indicate a cooling of the initial fervor surrounding generative AI. Although 52% of developers utilize the technology, 51% express deep ethical concerns regarding intellectual property theft and job displacement, leading 27% of companies to abandon interest in the tools entirely. Simultaneously, the market is pivoting away from the live-service model due to saturation and burnout, with 42% of developers expressing no interest in the format. This strategic shift coincides with a tightening of the financial landscape; 56% of all developers and 82% of independent creators now rely on self-funding as traditional venture capital and publishing deals become increasingly scarce. Labor conditions have tightened for the first time in several years, with the average workweek lengthening and the percentage of developers working 40 hours or less dropping to 57%. While 58% of the workforce supports unionization as a remedy for crunch and job insecurity, active organizing remains limited to 22% of respondents. Furthermore, external environmental factors are becoming a tangible operational risk, as 16% of developers report that natural disasters such as wildfires and floods have directly impacted their productivity. These combined factors suggest an industry in a state of cautious restructuring, balancing ethical and financial hurdles against a diversifying talent pool.

From the report

Foreword Contents 1. The Global Game Developer Community It seems fitting that we’ve reached the 13th year 1. The Global Game Developer Community 2 of GDC’s State of the Game Industry, a number viewed as lucky in some cultures and unlucky in others, because it feels like the last 12 months 2. Industry Layoffs 8 have seen their share of fortune and heartbreak. Industry layoffs have continued, to the point where one in 10 developers 3. Generative AI 13 say they’ve lost their jobs in the past year. This is happening as more 4. Engines & Platforms 18 studios adopt Generative AI, even though it’s increasingly unpopular among developers. Working hours are going up, investment 5. The Business of Games 29 opportunities are shrinking, and recent severe weather events like Hurricane Milton and the Southern California wildfires are drawing 6. Publishing & Financing 28 attention to the growing impact of climate disasters. But the game industry is resilient, as are its developers. PC development has 7. Advocacy 33 skyrocketed, more studios are prioritizing game accessibility, unionization support holds steady, and Hollywood continues to see the value in adapting games for the big (and small) screen. This year, we surveyed over 3,000 developers (with a ±2 percent MoE), working with research partners at Omdia to analyze the survey data and collaborating with the team at Game Developer. Thank you to everyone who participated by sharing your thoughts and perspectives. GDC Team

and small) screen. This year, we surveyed over 3,000 developers (with a ±2 percent MoE), working with research partners at Omdia to analyze the survey data and collaborating with the team at Game Developer. Thank you to everyone who participated by sharing your thoughts and perspectives. GDC Team GDC 2025 STATE OF THE GAME INDUSTRY | 1

2025 STATE OF THE GAME INDUSTRY 5 W 1 THE GLOBAL GAME DEVELOPER COMMUNITY COMMUNITY 9 E7 E GDC 2025 STATE OF THE GAME INDUSTRY | 2

GENDER The Developers AGE .10% GENDER Prefer not of 2025 25-34 ...........................36% 18-24 .............................10% Non-binary 6% Prefer not 35-44........................... 33% 55-64 ..............................5% Non-binary 6% to answer 2% 45-54............................15% 65 or older................... 1% Woman25% Not listed Woman 25% (please specify) 0.3% The game industry continues to grow and change, along with its players. While the industry remains largely white and male, a few key data points show how the developer community is becoming more diverse. Man 66% Gender diversity in the game industry has seen a notable shift over the past few years. Women and non-binary developers now make up 32% of game developers, compared to 29% last year and LGBTQ+ 24% in 2022. Men still make up two-thirds (66%) of developers. However, that number was 75% in 2020, Prefer not 35% meaning we’ve seen a 9-point change over the past to answer 7% five years. Yes 24% 7% LGBTQ representation among developers has also are white, male, increased, with one-fourth of respondents identifying as LGBTQ+ (up from 21% in 2024). Nearly half (43%) of not part of the 18–24-year-old developers identify as LGBTQ+, and LGBTQ+ community women developers are almost four times more likely LGBTQ+community than men to do so. No 69% GDC 2025 STATE OF THE GAME INDUSTRY | 3

I I*P The Global 1 - : -- Game Development . • . - I Community - oTt M- M L This year’s State of the Game Industry report includes developers from 86 countries, spread out over six continents. The United States has the largest concentration of respondents, along with European countries like the UK, France, and Germany. Other countries of note include Canada, Brazil, India, China, and Mexico. * F The Game Developers Conference is in the United States––as are many attendees, who tend to be the bulk of respondents to our annual survey. Some responses in this survey may overly represent the experiences of - T 1 developers in the West and may not always reflect the 8 views of the global community alwaysreflect the of the at large. globalcommunity large. COUNTRIES WITH THE MOST RESPONDENTS views at United States................. 58% Poland................................ 1.6% France ................................ 1.4% United Kingdom ............ 7% Brazil.................................... 1.6% Germany........................... 1.3% Canada ................................. 6% Sweden..............................1.4% India..................................... 1.3% Australia ................................3% 1.3% GDC 2025 STATE OF THE GAME INDUSTRY | 4

Race / Ethnicity We have seen a change in racial and ethnic diversity in the game development community since last year––though it’s a little more difficult to quantify, as many of the changes are too small to draw conclusions. According to the survey, 16% of developers are East, South, or Southeast Asian, one-tenth are Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin, and 3% are Black, African, or Caribbean. The combined increases did manifest in a year-over-year decrease in the number of respondents identifying as White or Caucasian––going from 64% in 2024 to 59% today. White / Caucasian 59% Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin 10% East Asian 9% Multiple ethnicities / Not listed 5% Prefer not to answer 4% Prefer not to answer Southeast Asian 4% Southeast Asian Black / African / Caribbean 3% Black / African / Caribbean South Asian 3% South Asian Middle Eastern or North African 2% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native GDC 2025 STATE OF THE GAME INDUSTRY | 5

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Words: 8,115
Format: PDF
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