The survey also indicates a shift in platform preferences, with 80% of developers focusing on PC games, partly due to the popularity of Valve's Steam Deck. Interest in web browser games and mobile game development has increased, while PlayStation remains the preferred console for development. VR/AR development remains steady, with Meta Quest leading the platforms. Unity and Unreal Engine are tied as the most popular game engines. Developers express frustration with funding challenges, citing market instability and competition. Additionally, 16% of developers reported being impacted by climate change-related natural disasters.
Key takeaways:
- Layoffs have significantly impacted the gaming industry, with 11% of developers reporting being laid off in the past year and 41% feeling the impact of these layoffs.
- Generative AI is viewed negatively by 30% of developers, with concerns about intellectual property theft, energy consumption, and quality of AI-generated content.
- PC remains the dominant platform for game development, with 80% of developers working on PC games, and a growing interest in web browser games.
- Self-funding is the primary method for game development financing, with 56% of developers using their own money to fund their projects.