GDC findings: a third of US game workers laid off in two years

GDC's 2026 State of the Game Industry Report shows 33% of surveyed US game workers laid off in the past 24 months, with 48% still seeking work; globally 28% were laid off and 17% in the last year. Designers were hit hardest (about 20%), while business operations saw the lowest impact (8%). Main reasons cited include restructuring (43%), project cancellations (32%), and budget cuts/market conditions (38%), with many layoffs tied to acquisitions and industry consolidation—underscoring ongoing stress in the sector, echoed by Ubisoft’s recent organizational reset.