As generative AI technology permeates every aspect of game development, resistance from professionals is spreading at an unprecedented speed. According to the latest survey released by the Game Developers Conference (GDC), 52% of respondents believe that generative AI has had a "negative" impact on the gaming industry, while only 7% hold a positive view. This data reflects deep anxiety within the industry regarding technological change.

Looking back at data from the past three years, this negative sentiment has seen explosive growth: in 2024, only 18% held a negative view, rising to 30% in 2025, and reaching over 50% in 2026. Although executives from major studios such as EA and Krafton actively embrace AI, developers on the front lines clearly have a very different experience.

Tool or Threat? The Awkward Position of AI in Development

Among the 2,300 industry professionals who participated in the survey, about 36% use AI in their work, while 64% remain distant. In practical applications, AI is mainly used for auxiliary tasks:

  • 81% of users use it for research and brainstorming;

  • 47% use it for administrative tasks such as handling emails;

  • only 19% use it for asset generation, and the usage rate drops to just 5% for core features developed for players.

Aside from the technological impact of AI, the ongoing wave of layoffs is also a significant source of developers' pessimism. The survey shows that 17% of respondents were laid off within the past year, and the percentage who had been laid off in the past two years reached as high as 28%. This uncertainty leads 23% of professionals to expect more layoffs in the coming year.

The education sector is also showing signs of concern. Over 60% of educators and students believe that the current industry situation makes it extremely difficult for graduates to find jobs, and some senior educators have even stated, "Most students may not be able to enter the game development field in the future."