Admittedly, some respondents to the annual Game Developers Conference survey would be fired if they didn’t take part.
The GDC State of the Game Industry Report 2026 has officially been released, offering insights into the gaming industry based on responses from over 2,300 industry professionals. Respondents answered questions about layoffs, popular game engines and platforms, and the current hot topic, generative artificial intelligence. Some gaming industry workers believe generative AI tools are the latest technological innovation that will revolutionize the game development process. If they are not already in use, they will become commonplace. Others believe they have no place in game development, even if we try to find a middle ground where they can be useful in certain areas. However, nothing can replace the human factor in creation.
While 35% of respondents said they do not personally use generative AI in their work, 52% said they use these tools in their studios. This has led several studios to create guidelines for their use. Only 15% of respondents said their company had no policy on the use of generative AI tools, while 78% confirmed that their studio had some kind of policy in place. The remaining 7% were unable to give a definitive answer. These guidelines are becoming more specific. Twenty-two percent of respondents said that only certain tools are allowed, while others are not. Most respondents use LLMs, such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot. The most common responses were research or brainstorming, followed by daily tasks such as writing emails, assisting with coding, and creating prototypes. Fewer respondents said they use generative AI tools for gaming features (5%), process generation (10%), or asset generation (19%).
Some respondents made it clear that these tools are indispensable, primarily because of their effectiveness. One independent studio executive said that, since their team is small, these tools enable them to accomplish more than they otherwise could. However, the more gaming industry professionals learn about generative AI, the less they like it, despite the increased use and necessity of these tools. Fifty-two percent of respondents believe that generative AI has a negative impact on the gaming industry. This is a 30% increase from last year’s GDC survey. Even among the negative majority, some use it because they feel they need it for their work. One Ukrainian developer said that AI is theft and that he is forced to use it; otherwise, he would be fired. More interesting than the percentages, however, are the quotes from developers who responded positively, negatively, or with mixed reactions to generative AI tools and technology.
This annual survey is only a sample and does not provide a complete picture of the industry. Much remains to be clarified about where generative AI technology will appear, not only in games and their development but also in other industries around the world.
