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Game Devs Sour on AI: More Harm Than Help?
29 Jan
Summary
- Most developers view generative AI negatively impacting the industry.
- One in 10 developers were laid off in the past year.
- Educators expect job market challenges for new game development students.
A significant majority of game developers now believe generative AI is negatively impacting the industry, according to a recent survey. In 2026, 52 percent of respondents reported a negative effect, a notable increase from previous years. This sentiment grows even as major publishers publicly endorse the technology.
While 36 percent of developers report using generative AI in their work, primarily for research and administrative tasks, its application in core development areas like asset generation remains limited. This year's survey also highlighted the ongoing instability in the sector, with 17 percent of developers reporting layoffs within the last 12 months.
Concerns extend to future employment prospects, particularly for new entrants. Educators surveyed expressed significant doubt about the industry's ability to absorb new talent, with many predicting difficulties for students seeking game development careers.
