GDC survey: one-third of US game workers say they were laid off in two years

A new survey tied to Game Developers Conference reports that roughly one-third of US industry respondents say they were laid off in the past two years—an eyebrow-raising snapshot of how brutal the last cycle has been.

Even for people still employed, this kind of churn reshapes studios fast: teams get smaller, projects narrow, and risk tolerance drops. It also accelerates consolidation—more contractors, more outsourcing, and more “do more with less” mandates.

The important takeaway isn’t just the number; it’s the mood it creates. When layoffs become normalized, experimentation suffers—and the talent pipeline starts looking for exits.