More than a quarter of game developers in Europe have experienced layoffs in the 2024/25 season, with 10.4% still looking for new roles.
That's according to the latest Big Games employment survey from online careers platform InGame Job and recruitment expert Values Value. (More details about the methodology at the end of the report).
The latest edition of the report states that the layoffs have most affected game designers, artists and quality control specialists.
Creative professionals also felt the least secure in their jobs, while analytics, HR/recruiting and C-suite professionals reported the “highest sense of job security.”
The study also found that the number of those who voluntarily changed jobs fell from 23.2% to 17.5%, while involuntary employment increased, with 10.4% reporting that they were laid off and are currently unemployed (compared to 6.2% in 2024).
15% of respondents are still looking for work, while 18% of programmers said it took them a year or more to find a new position.
Overall, 13% of game developers left the industry in 2025. Those working in marketing had the highest exit rate of all jobs (24%), and 39% of those working at junior levels left between 2024 and 2025.
Looking at the most important factors for professionals when looking for a new employer, salary level was the highest at 87%, followed by work format (remote/hybrid/office) and work-life balance at 59%.
“The job search takes longer, and in some roles, such as programming, we see a trend of people accepting less favorable conditions when changing jobs, such as lower salaries or demoted positions,” Tanya Loktionova, founder of Values Value and co-founder of InGame Job, exclusively tells us. GamesIndustry.biz.
“Salary has become the number one factor when choosing a new employer, replacing what used to be the main motivators such as interesting projects, growth opportunities or a great team.”
Salary
Looking at Average Salaries, Major Gaming Industry Employment Study highlighted remaining differences between the European Union and non-EU countries in all positions and positions.
As Loktionova notes in the report: “Salaries for programmers—especially Unity developers—have fallen by almost half, mainly because there are almost no open positions. There were a lot of layoffs and very few new opportunities.”
For example, if you look at the overall median salary in 2025 in EU countries, the picture is mixed (all salaries are indicated gross, annual and in euros).
Looking at overall pay satisfaction, the report found declines at most seniority levels compared to 2024.
The decline was most common among entry-level and mid-level professionals, “many of whom faced pay freezes, bonus cuts or slower career growth in the past year.”
Gender pay gap
The gender pay gap between roles in gaming continues to be a problem, with women particularly underrepresented in management and high-paying technical positions.
The study also found that women continue to experience structural imbalances that contribute to lower average wages.
“Interestingly, our data also shows that women tend to ask for less: their expected salaries are on average lower than those reported by male respondents in similar positions,” says Loktionova.
“This is a complex issue that reflects not only structural inequalities, but also differences in self-perception and confidence in negotiations.”
Diversity and Inclusion
The report also highlights a negative trend in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
In 2023, more than half of respondents reported that their company does not have a dedicated D&I specialist.
Since then, this figure has increased by 67%, with the study finding that “structured efforts in this area are still not a priority for many games industry employers” despite them playing a “crucial role in creating a supportive and inclusive workplace.”
implementation of AI
Elsewhere, the share of game developers who use AI “and find it useful” has doubled in the past two years. It reached 63% in the EU and 69% in non-EU regions.
The number of people who have never used AI – and have no plans to do so – has dropped by more than a third since 2023. Skepticism about AI continues to decline as “the technology is increasingly seen as a practical tool rather than a threat.”
General forecast
“This year’s results clearly show a growing sense of instability among workers in the games industry,” says Loktionova. “A quarter of respondents have experienced layoffs or team reductions over the past year, and 13% have already left the industry entirely. Among junior professionals, 39% left the industry – a huge figure, more than in previous years, according to our data.”
Loktionova adds: “This year we received a record number [anonymous] comments from respondents, and I don't think we've ever seen so much pain, even during the first waves of mass layoffs.
“Cumulative fatigue in the industry is palpable, with loyalty and engagement falling and feelings of job insecurity rising. Many point to poor communication and lack of transparency from management as key reasons. People are afraid to change jobs, even if they have long ceased to feel happy in their current position.”
Methodology
The Major Gaming Industry Employment Survey was conducted between March and June 2025 and included 1,650 respondents from 85 countries.
The study divides Europe into two regions – the European Union and non-EU countries. More than half of the respondents were men (56%), while 25% of respondents were women, and 19% selected the “Other” option.
In terms of seniority levels, 8% were junior, 24% were middle and 29% were leading. 21% of respondents had more than ten years of experience in the gaming industry.
