Over a quarter of game developers in Europe experienced layoffs in 2024/25, with 10.4% of those still searching for new roles.

That’s according to the latest Big Games Industry Employment Survey, conducted by online career platform InGame Job and recruitment expert Values Value. (More on the methodology at the end of the report).

The latest edition of the report found that game designers, artists, and QA specialists were most affected by layoffs.

Those in creative professions also felt the least secure in their roles, whereas those in analytics, HR/recruitment, and top management reported the “highest sense of job security.”

The survey also found those who changed jobs voluntarily dropped from 23.2% to 17.5%, while involuntary employment rose with 10.4% reporting they were laid off and currently unemployed (compared to 6.2% in 2024).

15% of respondents are still searching for jobs, with 18% of programmers reporting that they have needed a year or more to find a new role.

Overall, 13% of game developers left the industry in 2025. Those working in marketing had the highest exit rate across all roles (24%), while 39% of those at a junior level 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 were at 59% each.

“Job searches are taking longer, and in some roles – such as programming – we’re seeing a trend of people accepting less favorable conditions when changing jobs, like lower salaries or downgraded positions,” Values Value founder and InGame Job co-founder Tanja Loktionova exclusively tells GamesIndustry.biz.

“Salary has become the number one factor when choosing a new employer, replacing what used to be top motivators like exciting projects, growth opportunities, or a great team.”

Salary

Looking at median salaries, the Big Games Industry Employment Survey highlighted continued discrepancies between European Union and non-EU nations across all roles and seniority.

As Loktionova notes in the report: “Salaries for programmers — especially Unity developers — have dropped by almost half, mainly because there are barely any open positions. There have been a lot of layoffs and very few new opportunities.”

For example, when looking at the overall median salary for 2025 in EU countries – it’s a mixed picture (all salaries are gross, annual, and in Euros).

Looking at overall salary satisfaction, the report found there was a decline across most seniority levels compared to 2024.

This drop was most prevalent among entry-level and mid-level specialists, “many of whom faced salary freezes, reduced bonuses, or slower career progression in the past year.”

Gender pay gap

The gender pay gap across roles in games remains to be an issue, with women particularly underrepresented in leadership and high-paying technical roles.

The study also found that women continue to experience structural imbalances which contribute to lower average salaries.

“Interestingly, our data also shows that women tend to ask for less: their expected salaries are, on average, lower than those stated by male respondents in similar roles,” says Loktionova.

“It’s a complex issue that reflects not only structural inequality, but also differences in self-perception and negotiation confidence.”

Diversity and inclusion

The report also highlighted a negative trend in diversity and inclusion initiatives.

In 2023, over half of respondents reported that they had no dedicated D&I specialist at their company.

This stat has since increased by 67%, with the study suggesting “structured efforts in this area are still not a priority for many employers in the games industry” despite it playing a “crucial role in shaping a supportive and inclusive workspace.”

AI adoption

Elsewhere, the share of game developers that use AI “and find it helpful” has doubled over 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 don’t plan to – has dropped by more than a third since 2023. Scepticism towards AI continues to decline, with “the technology increasingly viewed as a practical tool rather than a threat.”

Overall outlook

“This year’s results clearly show a growing sense of instability across the games industry workforce,” says Loktionova. “A quarter of respondents experienced layoffs or team reductions over the past year, and 13% have already left the industry entirely. Among junior-level professionals, 39% have exited the field – a huge number, higher than in previous years according to our data.”

Loktionova adds: “This year, we received a record number of [anonymous] comments from respondents, and I don’t think we’ve ever seen so much pain, not even during the first waves of mass layoffs.

“The industry’s accumulated fatigue is becoming tangible: loyalty and engagement are dropping, and the sense of job insecurity is rising. Many point to poor communication and a lack of transparency from leadership as key reasons. People are afraid to change jobs, even when they’ve long stopped feeling happy in their current roles.”

Methodology

The Big Games Industry Employment Survey was conducted between March and June 2025, with a total of 1,650 respondents from 85 countries.

The study divides Europe into two regions – European Union and non-EU countries. Over half the respondents were male (56%) while women represented 25% of those surveyed, and 19% chose ‘Other’.

As for the levels of seniority, 8% were junior, 24% were middle, and 29% were lead. 21% of respondents had over ten years of experience in the games industry.