In the year 2025, game development houses across Europe markedly increased the amount of money they allocated to outside talent, registering a striking 63 percent jump. This surge outstripped the overall worldwide increase, which was measured at 55 percent, indicating that the continent’s studios are leading the charge in embracing external expertise. The figures come from the recently released "Talent Signals Reshaping the Games Industry" analysis, authored by Tanja Loktionova, who founded Values Value and co‑founded InGame Job. Loktionova’s research draws on a comprehensive employment survey that captures the pulse of the gaming labor market, from studio hiring managers to independent contractors.
One of the most notable takeaways from the report is the growth in the freelance workforce that collaborates with European studios. The number of independent professionals engaged on a project‑by‑project basis expanded by 24 percent over the previous year.
At the same time, the average earnings of freelancers worldwide climbed by 19 percent, reflecting a broader upward trend in compensation for contract talent. Despite these positive financial signals, the data also reveal persistent challenges. Almost six out of ten studios (approximately 60 percent) reported difficulty in locating qualified specialists to fill their open positions. Conversely, more than half of freelancers—54.1 percent—said they struggled to secure projects that matched their skill sets and career aspirations.
Even though the average monthly income for freelancers rose by 19 percent on a global scale, a substantial 63 percent of these workers continue to voice concerns about the stability of their earnings. The precarious nature of contract work remains a central worry, especially as studios increasingly rely on short‑term engagements. The broader labor environment appears volatile.
Thirty percent of survey respondents indicated that they had experienced layoffs within the past twelve months. For those who were let go, the average time required to land a new position was six months, underscoring the competitive and uncertain job market that many game developers navigate.
Looking ahead, half of the participants expressed an intention to change employers within the next half‑year. Job satisfaction also appears low: fewer than 50 percent of respondents reported being happy with their current roles. Only 26 percent felt they were making meaningful professional progress, while 36 percent described their situation as stagnant. Moreover, a majority—55 percent—had not received any formal training or upskilling opportunities in the previous year, highlighting a gap in continuous development for industry talent.
Loktionova interpreted these findings as a "structural signal that the industry has matured past its growth‑at‑any‑cost phase and has not yet figured out what replaces it." In other words, the sector is moving away from a frenetic expansion model and is now searching for a sustainable equilibrium between in‑house expertise and external contributions. The report also points to an emerging "two‑tier team model" within studios. At the top tier sits a small core of decision‑makers—directors, lead architects, and custodians of a franchise’s creative vision—who typically enjoy equity stakes, comprehensive health benefits, and performance bonuses.
The second tier consists largely of contractors and freelancers who are hired for specific sprints or development phases. Once those milestones are completed, many of these peripheral contributors are released from the project, creating a revolving door of talent. This shift has implications for workforce stability and career planning.
While core staff may enjoy greater security and long‑term incentives, the growing reliance on per‑project hires can lead to a fragmented employment landscape, where many skilled professionals must constantly seek new gigs. Another critical dimension explored in the study is the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the European development community. A sizable 61 percent of developers expressed concern that AI tools could pressure them to accelerate production schedules and increase output volume. At the same time, 35 percent feared that the rise of AI might render certain roles obsolete or diminish demand for their particular skill set.
In summary, the 2025 data paint a picture of an industry in transition. European studios are investing heavily in external talent, freelancers are earning more but still worry about income continuity, and both sides grapple with recruitment difficulties.
Meanwhile, the looming presence of AI adds another layer of uncertainty, prompting many professionals to contemplate career moves and seek additional training—opportunities that, according to the survey, remain insufficient for a large portion of the workforce. The sector’s challenge now lies in balancing the benefits of flexible, contract‑based collaboration with the need for stable, long‑term career pathways for its creative talent.