More than 25% of game developers across Europe experienced layoffs during 2024 and 2025, according to the latest Big Games Industry Employment Survey by InGame Job and recruitment consultancy Values Value. Of those affected, 10.4% remain unemployed and are still actively searching for new roles.
The report highlights a shifting employment landscape in the European games industry, with creative roles such as game designers, artists, and QA specialists bearing the brunt of the layoffs. Workers in these areas also reported feeling the least secure in their jobs. In contrast, professionals in analytics, human resources, and senior management expressed the highest sense of job stability.
Job Security Declines as Layoffs Rise
Layoffs have led to a rise in involuntary unemployment in the industry. While 23.2% of respondents voluntarily changed jobs in 2024, that number dropped to 17.5% in 2025. Meanwhile, involuntary departures increased: 10.4% of respondents reported being laid off and still unemployed, compared to just 6.2% the year before.
Notably, job recovery has proven particularly difficult in certain fields. Among programmers, 18% said it has taken a year or more to find a new position.
In total, 13% of developers left the games industry entirely in 2025. Marketing professionals had the highest exit rate at 24%, while junior-level employees were hit especially hard, with 39% leaving the industry between 2024 and 2025.
The findings suggest that career longevity in the sector is increasingly difficult for early-career professionals and those in roles tied closely to creative output or external communications.
As job insecurity rises, developers' priorities are changing. The report found that 87% of respondents now consider salary the most important factor when choosing a new employer. This marks a notable shift away from previously dominant motivators such as exciting projects, opportunities for growth, or a strong team culture.
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