Survey Reveals Developers’ Discontent with AI, Push for Unions, and Shift Away from Xbox

The 2026 Game Developers Conference, now dubbed the GDC Festival of Gaming, is set to kick off in early March. In anticipation of this San Francisco event, GDC has shared its annual survey reflecting the sentiments of game industry developers. With over 2,300 professionals weighing in on issues from generative AI to layoffs, the results paint a concerning picture of the current state of the gaming landscape.

In 2024, opinions among game developers were somewhat divided regarding the rise of large language models (LLMs). Fast forward to now, and the mood has shifted dramatically. Last year, 13 percent of respondents believed generative AI would positively influence the industry; in 2026, that number has plummeted to just 7 percent. Conversely, 52 percent now anticipate a negative impact, a significant increase from the previous year. This sentiment spans across artists, storytellers, and programmers alike, even as the use of AI for mundane tasks like email writing continues to rise.

The survey also revealed that around 40 percent of developers are keen on creating their next game for PlayStation 5 or Switch 2, while only 20 percent are eyeing the Xbox Series X/S. This marks a notable decline from last year’s 34 percent for Xbox, although it still surpasses interest in Android, iOS, and the original Switch. PC remains the dominant platform, which may explain Microsoft’s shift in focus.

Support for unionization is strong among U.S.-based developers, with over 80 percent backing the movement and 62 percent expressing interest in joining a union. However, only 13 percent are currently part of one, indicating potential for more studios to organize. Union efforts have gained momentum in Microsoft-owned subsidiaries due to a previously established neutrality clause, but many other major publishers, like Electronic Arts and 2K Games, have seen unions struggle to gain traction.

The impact of recent layoffs is stark, with 17 percent of respondents reporting job losses in the past year, marking a steady rise over the last two years. Alarmingly, nearly half of those laid off have not found new positions within the industry during that time, suggesting the repercussions of downsizing will linger for years.

Additionally, the ongoing trade war and anti-immigrant policies are taking a toll on the gaming sector. The survey indicates that 31 percent of respondents have canceled travel plans to the U.S., with another third reconsidering future trips. A significant 60 percent of non-U.S. industry leaders reported that these policies have negatively affected their willingness to do business in the country. On the trade front, 38 percent noted that tariffs have influenced their financial decisions.