2025 Games Industry Layoffs Decrease Slightly but Remain High

The games industry continued to face challenging conditions in 2025, with layoff figures remaining high despite a slight decrease from the previous year. According to Amir Satvat, business development director at Tencent Games, the total number of layoffs in 2025 was approximately 9,175, down from the estimated 15,631 in 2024. Satvat predicts that the industry will experience another 7,500 layoffs in 2026, indicating a slow recovery. The share of open roles in North America and Western Europe is expected to decline, while emerging markets such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia are likely to see an increase in job opportunities. Several major gaming companies, including Tencent, Microsoft, and Sony, made significant job cuts in 2025, with some studios shutting down entirely. The trend of jobs moving to emerging markets is expected to continue, with many companies investing in these regions. Despite the challenges, some companies are still hiring, and the industry is expected to grow, albeit in different areas of the globe.