Four in Ten Game Developers Now Use Generative AI, GDC Survey Finds

Around 40% of people active in the video game industry now use generative AI tools in their work. That is according to GDC's latest State of the Game Industry report, which puts the figure up four percentage points on last year. Eurogamer reported the findings on 13 November 2026.

Generative AI refers to software that produces text, images, code or other material from a written prompt. GDC, the organisation behind the Game Developers Conference, based the report on responses from more than 2,300 people. They included developers, producers, marketers, executives and investors.

Most of those who use the tools put them to practical jobs. The report found that 57% of developers who use generative AI rely on it for text generation, research, early prototyping, coding and presentations.

Opinion varies by the kind of studio people work for. 27% of developers at AAA studios, the large-budget companies behind the biggest releases, said they feel encouraged or pressured to use generative AI. Among indie developers, who typically work on smaller budgets, the figure was 9%.

Usage also differs by age and gender. 54% of respondents aged 45 or older reported using AI tools, an eight-point rise on last year's survey. 45% of men said they use AI tools, compared with 33% of women.

Attitudes are less enthusiastic. 55% of respondents said AI is having a negative impact on games, one percentage point more than last year.

So the picture is one of growing use alongside growing unease. More people are using the tools each year, and more people are also worried about where the medium is heading. Both numbers rose in the same survey.

GDC's next conference is scheduled for 1 to 4 March 2027 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. The GDC website lists the latest State of the Game Industry insights as the November 2026 edition.