GDC survey: 33% of US games industry workers were laid off in past two years

The organizers of GDC released the 2026 State of the Game Industry Report, based on an annual self-reported survey of more than 2,300 games industry professionals. The data show 28% of respondents reported being laid off in the past two years, and 33% of US respondents said they had been laid off during the same period.

The survey responses painted a grim picture of layoffs across the industry.

Respondents who had been laid off also reported difficulty finding new work: nearly half — 48% — of games workers who said they were laid off reported they have not been able to secure another job.

Of those who were laid off one to two years ago, 36% said they have not found other games industry employment.

The 2026 State of the Game Industry Report is the latest edition of GDC’s annual self-reported survey and presents a snapshot of layoffs and re-employment struggles in the sector.

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