In recent years, the gaming industry has been going through a rough period. Layoffs, studio shutdowns and cancelled projects are happening more often than ever before, creating a sense of uncertainty for many developers. What once felt like a stable career is now starting to feel less secure for many.
A recent report by recruitment firm Skillsearch shows how serious things have become. Around 44% of developers are already thinking about leaving the industry, mainly because of layoffs and ongoing instability. The situation is even worse in the United Kingdom, where 76% of developers are either planning or considering a career change.
The survey gathered answers from 1,000 game industry professionals around the world between late 2025 and early 2026, and the results are worrying. About 22% lost their jobs in the last year, and another 12% were laid off earlier. On top of that, around 55% of those affected have struggled to find new work, showing how difficult the job market has become. Even those who find a new position often don’t feel secure.
Some groups are affected more than others. Art teams and senior developers with more than 10 years of experience are among the most affected. Companies are cutting costs due to less investor funding, budget cuts, and fewer new projects being approved. Even big companies are making cuts. For example, Electronic Arts made layoffs across Battlefield studios following the record-breaking launch of Battlefield 6. At the same time, Epic Games announced the layoff of over 1,000 employees “to keep the company funded.” In addition, Ubisoft is undergoing major restructuring and cost-cutting, which could put some of its biggest projects at risk.
All of this explains why so many developers are now thinking about leaving the industry. With ongoing layoffs, unstable jobs, and growing concerns about the future, the video game industry is clearly going through a difficult time. We’ll be reporting on it all as it happens.
