In the year 2025, game development studios across Europe markedly increased the amount of money they allocated to external talent, registering a striking 63 percent rise in spending on outsourced roles. This surge outstripped the broader industry trend, which saw a global increase of 55 percent in similar expenditures. The data comes from the recently published "Talent Signals Reshaping the Games Industry" analysis, authored by Tanja Loktionova, who is both the founder of Values Value and a co‑founder of InGame Job.
One of the most notable findings of the report is the growth in the freelance workforce that partners with European studios. Over the past twelve months, the number of independent contractors and freelancers engaged by these companies grew by 24 percent. This expansion reflects a broader shift toward flexible, project‑based staffing models, as studios seek to tap into specialized skills without committing to long‑term employment contracts. At the same time, the average earnings of freelancers worldwide climbed by 19 percent, indicating that the market is rewarding specialized talent with higher compensation.
Despite the positive financial trends, the survey uncovered several challenges that both studios and freelancers are grappling with. Almost six out of ten studios—approximately 60 percent—reported difficulty in locating qualified professionals to fill their open positions.
This talent shortage is mirrored on the freelancer side, where 54.1 percent of independent workers said they struggled to secure projects that matched their expertise and career goals. Even though the average monthly income for freelancers rose by 19 percent on a global scale, a substantial 63 percent of these workers remain uneasy about the stability of their earnings.
The precarious nature of gig work means that many freelancers must constantly hunt for new contracts, leading to financial uncertainty despite higher pay rates. The broader labor market within the gaming industry also shows signs of volatility. Thirty percent of respondents to the survey indicated that they had experienced layoffs within the previous year.
For those who were let go, the typical timeframe to land a new position stretched to about six months, underscoring the competitive and often unpredictable nature of employment in this sector. Looking ahead, half of those surveyed expressed an intention to change jobs within the next six months, and fewer than half reported feeling satisfied with their current roles. Professional growth appears to be limited for many: only 26 percent felt they were advancing in their careers, while 36 percent described their situation as stagnant.
Moreover, a significant 55 percent of respondents disclosed that they had not received any formal training or development opportunities in the past year, suggesting a gap in ongoing skill development. Loktionova interpreted these findings as a clear structural signal that the gaming industry has moved beyond its earlier "growth‑at‑any‑cost" phase and is now searching for a sustainable model to replace it.
The data points toward a convergence on a two‑tier team structure. At the core of this model sit a small group of senior figures—directors, lead architects, and custodians of a franchise’s creative vision—who are typically offered equity stakes, comprehensive health benefits, and performance bonuses.
Surrounding this nucleus, a larger peripheral layer consists of contractors and freelancers who are hired for specific sprints or development phases and are often released once those milestones are completed. This evolving hierarchy reflects a broader industry trend toward leaner, more agile development cycles, where core creative leadership remains stable while the surrounding workforce is fluid and adaptable.
It also raises questions about long‑term career prospects for the majority of workers who now operate on the periphery of the development process. The report also highlighted growing concerns around the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the workforce. Sixty‑one percent of European developers expressed worry that AI tools could increase pressure to accelerate production timelines and deliver larger volumes of content. While some view AI as a potential efficiency booster, 35 percent of respondents feared that the technology might ultimately diminish demand for their roles or even lead to job displacement.
In summary, the 2025 landscape for European game studios is characterized by a substantial rise in spending on external talent, a growing reliance on freelancers, and heightened financial and job‑security anxieties among both studios and independent workers. The industry appears to be transitioning toward a bifurcated team structure that privileges a small, well‑compensated core while relegating many skilled professionals to temporary, project‑based positions. At the same time, the looming influence of generative AI adds another layer of uncertainty, prompting many developers to question how their skills will remain relevant in an increasingly automated environment. The findings suggest that while monetary investment in talent is on the rise, the sector must address underlying issues of stability, training, and career progression to sustain its growth and retain a motivated workforce.