Layoffs remain a critical industry issue, with two-thirds of AAA studio employees reporting company-wide cuts and nearly 20% of the total workforce having been personally let go.
See it on page 14Workplace culture remains characterized by persistent crunch, as 87% of employees clocked overtime in the past year, largely driven by perceived necessity or self-imposed pressure.
See it on page 48Generative AI adoption is deeply polarized, with 42% of professionals viewing it as a productivity tool while 38% fear it poses ethical risks and threats to job security.
See it on page 22Support for labor organization is high, with 82% of U.S. respondents backing unionization and a majority expressing personal interest in joining a union.
See it on page 49The industry workforce is predominantly male (66%) and under 35 (64%), with a significant concentration of talent located in the United States (54%), particularly in California and Washington.
See it on page 8Extended reality (VR/AR/MR) remains a niche sector with only 8% of respondents currently working on such projects, where Meta Quest and Horizon currently dominate the market.
See it on page 35Demographic diversity is evolving, with 24% of the workforce identifying as female, 8% as non-binary, and 28% identifying as LGBTQ+.
See it on page 5The industry snapshot reveals a workforce that remains predominantly male and White, yet shows growing diversity in gender identity, sexual orientation, and geographic mobility. Two‑thirds of respondents are male, 24 % female, and 8 % non‑binary, with 28 % identifying as LGBTQ+. The U.S. dominates the sample (54 %), and California remains the top state of residence, while Washington has experienced the largest influx. Most workers are under 35 (64 %) and concentrated in design, programming, and visual arts roles.
Layoffs continue to be a significant concern, especially within AAA studios where two‑thirds of respondents report company layoffs and nearly one in five have been personally let go. Indie studios experience fewer corporate cuts, yet a higher proportion of individuals report personal layoffs. Roughly half of all respondents anticipate no layoffs in the next year, but those with prior layoff experience express greater uncertainty.
Generative AI elicits polarized views: 42 % see it as a productivity catalyst, while 38 % view it as ethically problematic and potentially job‑threatening. The debate centers on balancing efficiency gains against concerns over originality, labor displacement, and environmental impact.
VR/AR/MR remains a niche segment, with only 8 % of respondents engaged in such projects. Meta Quest/Horizon dominates the market, and accessibility features are widely adopted, though advanced options lag behind. Monetization trends show premium titles favor digital downloads and physical copies, whereas free‑to‑play games rely heavily on in‑app purchases for currency and cosmetics.
Crunch culture persists, with 87 % of workers clocking overtime in the past year and over half citing essential work or self‑pressure as drivers. Union support is strong in the U.S., with 82 % backing unionization and a majority expressing interest, though leadership opinions are slightly more divided.
