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- A major GDC survey shows about 11% of developers were laid off last year.
- This figure went up to nearly 50% when discussing the number of professionals impacted by the trend.
- Developers point to practices like shifting trends and restructuring as major reasons behind the layoffs.
The gaming industry’s layoffs impacted thousands of developers last year, spanning studios like EA, Xbox, PlayStation, Embracer Group, and more.
As the industry prepares to leave the trend of layoffs behind, a new survey highlights just how tough 2024 was for the entire industry. As per the survey, about one in ten developers were laid off last year.
Why it matters: The gaming landscape has made it incredibly difficult for professionals to stay free of concerns about potential job cuts. This figure once again emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.
The survey in question was conducted by GDC and involved a total of 3,000 developers across the indie and AAA space. This sample size was selected to give a broad overview of gaming’s current state.
The same survey showed 7% of developers were laid off in 2023, and the figure rose to 11% in 2024. Elsewhere, about 41% of respondents, or 1230 developers, stated that layoffs impacted them in one way or another.
4% of the developers also stated their studios were shut down. As per the participants, the major factors for the high layoff rates included poor management, declining revenues, and more.
However you look at it, 2024 was an extremely challenging year for everyone involved in the gaming landscape.
While there’s no telling how 2025 will turn out, developers will certainly hope for a more stable year, particularly because of releases like GTA 6, which should help the market rebound in meaningful ways.
What are your thoughts on these figures? Let’s discuss this in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
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[News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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