Studios are finding room for generative AI behind the scenes, but creative production remains a different story. The latest GDC report reveals an industry where professional adoption does not necessarily translate into confidence. Moreover, attitudes towards this technology vary considerably depending on employees’ responsibilities and working environments.
Generative AI finds its place behind the scenes
GDC published its 15th State of the Game Industry report on November 12. The organization runs the GDC Festival of Gaming. Its findings reflect the experiences and opinions of more than 2,600 industry professionals.
According to the figures collected by GameDev.net, 40% of respondents currently use this technology professionally. The previous edition placed adoption at 36%, although growth has since slowed. However, this year’s report arrives in November rather than at the beginning of the year. Consequently, comparisons between both editions require caution.
Research and brainstorming remain the most common applications. Other popular uses include generating and debugging code, automating repetitive tasks and building early prototypes. In contrast, concept art attracts considerably less interest. Features that players directly interact with remain among its least common applications.
This distinction matters because workplace adoption alone reveals little about how much AI-generated material reaches the final product.
Business models influence AI adoption across studios
Not every corner of the video game industry is embracing artificial intelligence at the same pace. Business operations and services lead adoption, while mobile development also records particularly high figures.
The report highlights several differences between professional environments:
- 71% of respondents working in business operations and services use generative AI.
- 70% of professionals at mobile-only studios use it.
- 58% of respondents developing free-to-play games use the technology.
- 27% of AAA studio workers feel encouraged or pressured to adopt it.
- 9% of indie studio workers experience similar encouragement or pressure.
Meanwhile, adoption remains lower among professionals developing premium games. Furthermore, the difference between AAA and independent studios highlights how workplace expectations vary across the industry.
The debate also reaches industry leaders, as shown by Tim Sweeney’s position on AI and competition in game development.
Why generative AI faces growing professional resistance
Despite its expanding presence in development workflows, negative opinions dominate the survey. As detailed by PC Gamer, 55% of respondents believe artificial intelligence is negatively affecting the games industry.
Another 35% consider its impact mixed, whereas only 8% describe it positively. Quality assurance and community support professionals are particularly critical, with 76% expressing negative opinions.
Concerns extend beyond potential job losses. Copyright disputes, legal uncertainty, environmental costs and the deterioration of professional skills also contribute to this skepticism.
These concerns emerge alongside broader employment difficulties. The same survey reveals that 34% of respondents experienced layoffs during the past two years. However, this figure does not establish a causal relationship between artificial intelligence and job losses.
Students are less eager to embrace artificial intelligence
Another significant contrast appears within game development education. In total, 62% of educators allow, encourage or require generative AI in their coursework. Nevertheless, only 20% of students report using it.
These percentages measure different behaviors, but they reveal an interesting distinction between institutional acceptance and actual student adoption.
Consequently, greater exposure to artificial intelligence during professional training does not necessarily guarantee widespread use among students. Access and willingness remain separate aspects of technological adoption.
PC dominates as proprietary game engines gain ground
Beyond artificial intelligence, the 2026 GDC report provides a broader picture of changing development priorities. PC remains the leading platform, attracting 81% of surveyed professionals.
Among other platforms, PS5 reaches 45%, followed by Xbox Series X|S at 37%. Steam Deck attracts 32%, while Nintendo Switch 2 reaches 29%.
Additionally, development for upcoming hardware is already underway. Around 10% of respondents are targeting the next PlayStation, while 8% are developing for Project Helix.
Game engines present another notable shift. Unreal Engine usage drops from 42% to 35%, while Unity declines from 30% to 28%. Meanwhile, proprietary engines increase their presence from 19% to 23%.
Virtual and augmented reality development also loses momentum, falling from 8% to 3%.
Ultimately, the central debate surrounding generative AI in video games extends beyond adoption rates. Its professional usefulness, creative acceptance and perceived consequences remain three distinct questions. Increasing usage does not automatically resolve any of the industry’s underlying concerns.
Creator of the website, Pokemon trainer by nature. Trying to report on everything related to the world of video games, series and movies. Yu-Gi-Oh is my weakness, collecting cards since the dawn of time.
