The survey also touched on other industry issues such as layoffs, return-to-work mandates, and the impact of Unity's recent runtime debacle on game engine choice. One-third of developers are considering or have already switched game engine software due to Unity's pricing model. Over a quarter of developers have a mandatory return-to-office policy, which has led to dissatisfaction and resignations. The survey, conducted in September 2023, also found that 56% of respondents fear layoffs at their own studios due to a "post-pandemic course correction."
Key takeaways:
- 84 percent of the 3,000-plus respondents in the Game Developers Conference (GDC) annual State of the Game Industry survey expressed concern about the ethics of using generative AI, citing reasons such as potential job loss and copyright infringement.
- Developers in more technical fields generally thought AI would have a positive impact on their jobs, while those in creative fields felt AI would negatively impact their jobs.
- One-third of surveyed developers have considered or have already switched game engine software due to Unity's controversial pricing model.
- Over one-fourth of developers have a mandatory return-to-office policy, which has led to dissatisfaction and resignations. Over one-third of respondents reported being impacted by layoffs, with 56% fearing layoffs at their own studios.