44% of video games business professionals have thought of leaving the business because of redundancies

A survey from video games recruitment agency Skillsearch has discovered that total, 44% of respondents have thought of leaving the business as a consequence of redundancies. In the UK, 76% mentioned they are going to be or are contemplating job searching outdoors of the business in 2026.

The annual Salary & Satisfaction survey collected responses from 1,000 respondents throughout the UK, Europe, North America, APAC, and MENA areas between November 12, 2025 and February 24, 2026.

22% of respondents had been made redundant prior to now yr, and 12% mentioned that they had been made redundant greater than 12 months in the past. The main causes of redundancies have been lowered investor funding, funds cuts, and an absence of tasks.

Only 35% of respondents mentioned that they or their studio had been unaffected by redundancies, whereas 28% mentioned their studio had made layoffs, however they weren’t personally affected.

Of those that had been laid off, 45% have since secured new employment. However, solely 27% mentioned they really feel safe of their new function.

In phrases of the time to discover a new job, 21% mentioned they have been capable of safe employment in lower than a month, whereas 33% mentioned it took between one and three months, 20% mentioned it took between 4 and 6 months, 19% mentioned it took seven to 12 months, and eight% mentioned it took greater than a yr.

Art was listed as one of many “most impacted areas of redundancy.” Other impacted areas embody senior roles, corporations with greater than 250 workers, and folks with 10+ years of expertise. The UK was listed as probably the most impacted nation.

Many professionals in key areas are contemplating new roles in 2026, citing considerations about job safety, compensation, and alternatives for more difficult tasks. 53% of individuals would take into account relocating for a brand new job if it provided a better wage and relocation bundle, although job safety and price of dwelling stay considerations. 38% have declined gives as a consequence of insufficient relocation packages.

Elsewhere, the survey discovered that just about half of sport professionals are involved about elevated AI use, and 64% consider it negatively impacts business creativity.

Respondents’ prime considerations about AI have been job safety, lack of artistic authenticity, and moral use. They additionally highlighted advantages akin to elevated effectivity, price financial savings, and better output from smaller groups.

More than half of respondents reported that they or their firm have adopted AI instruments, whereas 29% mentioned their firm has moral AI insurance policies or tips.

Looking on the total workforce, it stays predominantly male at 74%, with the vast majority of respondents falling into the 25 to 34 (39%) and 35 to 44 (37%) age teams. 66% of respondents are in everlasting employment, whereas nearly half have over ten years of business expertise.

In the UK, which accounts for 43% of responses, common salaries have been £199,833 for C-suite roles, £110,442 for administrators, and £30,357 for junior positions. Director-level roles in programming and enterprise operations are the very best paid, at £130,963 and £112,495, respectively.