European Game Industry Witnesses 21% Layoff Rate in the Past Year

Approximately 15% of European game industry employees were laid off and subsequently found new employment in 2023/2024, while 6.2% remain unemployed, according to the latest Big Games Industry Employment Survey. The annual study, conducted by recruitment agency Values Value and career platform InGame Job, also revealed that 10% of European game professionals transitioned to jobs in other industries last year. Certain roles, such as HR, recruitment, QA, and artists, were more susceptible to layoffs in the region. The survey also examined median salaries, highlighting discrepancies between European Union and non-EU nations across various roles and seniority levels. Median salary ranges for mid-level game industry jobs are provided, with most positions experiencing an overall increase in 2024, although some exceptions exist, such as HR/recruiting roles. Tanja Loktionova, founder of Values Value and co-founder of InGame Job, noted that some positions have seen a significant decline in salaries compared to 2023, particularly for senior-level HR professionals, recruiters, QA specialists, and mid-level business development roles. The report also highlighted the significant gender pay gap between men and women in the game industry, as well as the most common reasons for job dissatisfaction, including burnout, unprofessional management, and poor work-life balance. Remote work remains prevalent, with 57% of EU companies and 75% of non-EU European companies adopting this practice. Furthermore, 54% of game developers reported using AI in their daily work and finding it helpful, up from 37% last year. The study surveyed 1,832 respondents from over 50 European countries, with 58% identifying as male, 24% as female, and 19% preferring not to disclose their gender. Respondents were divided into junior, middle, senior, and lead roles, with 19% having over ten years of experience in the game industry.