In the year 2025 European game development houses dramatically increased the amount of money they allocated to outside talent, posting a staggering 63 percent rise in external‑role expenditure. This surge outstripped the broader industry’s growth, which was measured at 55 percent worldwide, indicating that European studios are leading the shift toward a more flexible, contractor‑heavy workforce. The data comes from the recently released "Talent Signals Reshaping the Games Industry" study, authored by Tanja Loktionova, founder of Values Value and co‑founder of InGame Job.
The report pulls together responses from a wide cross‑section of developers, studios, and independent workers across the continent, painting a vivid picture of how employment patterns are evolving in the post‑pandemic era. One of the headline figures in the study is the 24 percent increase in the number of freelancers who partnered with European studios over the past twelve months. This growth reflects a broader trend in which studios are turning to short‑term specialists to fill skill gaps, accelerate particular development phases, or experiment with new technologies without committing to long‑term hires. At the same time, the average earnings of freelancers worldwide climbed 19 percent, suggesting that the market is rewarding specialized expertise with higher pay rates.
Despite these positive financial signals, the report highlights a series of challenges that both studios and freelancers continue to face. Nearly six out of ten studios (approximately 60 percent) reported difficulty in locating qualified professionals for open positions, underscoring a talent shortage that is especially acute for senior or highly technical roles. On the flip side, just over half of freelancers (54.1 percent) said they struggled to secure projects that matched their skill set or career aspirations, pointing to a mismatch between supply and demand that could hinder long‑term stability for independent workers. Income stability remains a major concern for the freelance community.
While the average monthly earnings for freelancers rose 19 percent on a global scale, a substantial 63 percent of freelancers expressed anxiety about the reliability of their income streams. This unease is understandable in a market where contracts can be project‑based and may end abruptly once a development sprint concludes. The broader labor market context adds another layer of complexity. About 30 percent of survey respondents reported having experienced a layoff within the previous year, and the average time needed to land a new job was six months.
This turnover rate suggests that even seasoned professionals are navigating a relatively volatile employment landscape. Looking ahead, half of those surveyed indicated an intention to change jobs within the next six months, and fewer than half reported feeling satisfied with their current positions. Professional growth appears limited: only 26 percent felt they were advancing in their careers, while 36 percent described their situation as stagnant.
Moreover, a striking 55 percent said they had not received any formal training or upskilling opportunities in the past twelve months, raising questions about how studios are investing in the development of their talent pool. Loktionova interprets 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 era of relentless expansion driven by massive hiring sprees is giving way to a more measured, perhaps uncertain, approach to building teams. The report also identifies a emerging "two‑tier" model within studios. At the top sits a compact core of senior figures—directors, lead architects, and custodians of a franchise’s creative vision—who typically enjoy equity stakes, comprehensive health benefits, and performance bonuses.
Surrounding this nucleus is a growing periphery of contractors and freelancers who are brought in for specific sprints, feature implementations, or technical milestones. Once those targeted tasks are completed, many of these external contributors are released from the contract, creating a revolving door of talent. Beyond staffing dynamics, the study touches on the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the European development community.
A solid majority—61 percent—of developers expressed concern that AI tools could increase pressure to accelerate production timelines and generate more content at a faster pace. Conversely, 35 percent feared that AI might actually diminish demand for certain roles, potentially leading to job displacement or reduced hiring for tasks that could be automated. Overall, the "Talent Signals Reshaping the Games Industry" report paints a picture of an ecosystem in transition. European studios are investing heavily in external expertise, freelancers are earning more but remain wary of income volatility, and both sides are grappling with talent scarcity, skill mismatches, and the looming influence of AI.
As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders will need to balance the benefits of flexible, project‑based staffing with the need for stability, professional development, and sustainable growth strategies.