A recent survey conducted by games recruitment agency Skillsearch revealed that 44% of participants have contemplated leaving the industry due to layoffs. In the UK, a staggering 76% stated they are either planning or considering seeking employment outside of the gaming sector in 2026.
The annual Salary & Satisfaction survey gathered feedback from 1,000 respondents across various regions such as the UK, Europe, North America, APAC, and MENA between November 12, 2025, and February 24, 2026.
Within the past year, 22% of respondents had experienced redundancy, with 12% reporting being made redundant over a year ago. The primary causes cited for these job losses were dwindling investor funding, budget constraints, and a shortage of projects.
Only 35% of those surveyed confirmed that they or their studio had remained unaffected by layoffs, while 28% disclosed that their workplace had downsized, but they had not been personally impacted.
Of those who had been let go, 45% managed to secure new positions. However, a mere 27% expressed confidence in the stability of their current employment.
When it came to the duration of finding a new job, 21% indicated securing employment within a month, while 33% stated it took between one to three months. Furthermore, 20% shared that the job hunt lasted between four to six months, 19% said it took seven to 12 months, and 8% revealed it took over a year.
Art emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas by redundancies, alongside senior positions, companies with over 250 employees, and individuals with a decade or more of experience. Notably, the UK was identified as the country most significantly affected.
In anticipation of 2026, numerous professionals in key regions are contemplating new job opportunities due to concerns regarding job security, compensation, and access to more challenging projects. A majority (53%) would be open to relocating for a higher-paying job with relocation assistance, though worries about job security and living costs persist. Additionally, 38% turned down offers due to inadequate relocation packages.
Elsewhere, the survey highlighted that nearly half of gaming professionals harbor apprehensions about the increased use of AI, with 64% believing it has a negative impact on industry creativity.
The primary concerns voiced regarding AI included job security, loss of creative originality, and ethical considerations. Conversely, respondents acknowledged benefits such as enhanced efficiency, cost savings, and increased productivity from smaller teams.
More than half of the respondents disclosed that they or their organizations have adopted AI tools, while 29% stated their company enforces ethical guidelines or policies on AI usage.
Examining the overall workforce, men continue to dominate at 74%, with the majority falling within the 25 to 34 (39%) and 35 to 44 (37%) age brackets. Sixty-six percent of respondents hold permanent positions, and nearly half boast over a decade of experience in the industry.
In the UK, which represented 43% of the responses, average salaries stood at £199,833 for C-suite roles, £110,442 for directors, and £30,357 for junior positions. Notably, director-level roles in programming and business operations commanded the highest pay, with figures reaching £130,963 and £112,495, respectively.