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January 21, 2025
The gaming industry is in a state of constant change. Technological advancements, particularly in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), are increasingly shaping the development and production of video games. While companies emphasize the potential of AI, skepticism about the technology's impact on their industry and their jobs is growing among game developers.
A recent survey of game developers, conducted in the run-up to the Game Developers Conference (GDC), highlights this concern. Over half of the developers surveyed stated that generative AI is being used in game development at their companies. At the same time, many expressed concerns about the impact of this technology on the industry. An increasing proportion of respondents have a negative view of the use of AI overall.
The gaming industry has experienced turbulent times in recent years. Studio closures, layoffs, and uncertainty about the future of the industry characterize the picture. At the same time, companies are increasingly investing in AI initiatives, which further fuels developers' concerns.
The survey results show that skepticism about AI in game development is growing. More and more developers fear negative impacts on the quality of games and the job market. One developer commented: "Generative AI is not an adequate replacement for real people, and the quality of the games will suffer."
Theoretically, AI can help developers with various tasks, including programming, concept art, and the creation of 3D models. However, when asked about the concrete applications of AI in the industry, many respondents answered with "none".
The hope that AI would reduce the workload of developers has not yet been fulfilled. On the contrary: developers report longer working hours than in previous years. While these extra hours could also be due to taking over the tasks of laid-off colleagues, many see the use of AI as another factor contributing to the increasing workload.
Layoffs are a persistent problem in the gaming industry. The survey shows that one in ten developers lost their job in the last year. Many of those affected report difficulties in finding a new position. Some have been unemployed for over a year and have not found a new position despite hundreds of applications.
Working conditions after a job change are not always satisfactory either. While some developers were able to quickly find a better position, others report significantly lower pay.
Developers attribute the industry's problems to various factors, including overexpansion after the Covid-19 pandemic, unrealistic expectations regarding the success of games, and poor management. One respondent commented: "In this industry, we set impossible goals and then fire everyone when they prove unattainable. We need to apply lean and agile processes instead of reaching for the stars every time."
The growing skepticism of game developers towards their employers' AI initiatives highlights the tensions between technological progress and the needs of employees. The industry faces the challenge of harnessing the potential of AI without jeopardizing working conditions and the quality of games. Dialogue between companies, developers, and industry experts is essential to ensure sustainable and fair use of AI in game development.
Bibliographie: - https://www.reddit.com/r/unrealengine/comments/1b9nn7d/im_scared_ai_will_replace_game_developers_in_the/ - https://venturebeat.com/games/gdc-survey-reveals-a-rocky-year-of-layoffs-and-ai-skepticism-for-game-developers/ - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cl44mv0jnv5o - https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/gdc-2024-state-of-the-game-industry-devs-discuss-layoffs-generative-ai-and-more - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/christopherscottrice_ai-is-already-taking-jobs-in-the-video-game-activity-7221618224306507779-BTEE - https://www.wired.com/tag/self-driving-cars/ - https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/ea-ceo-60-percent-of-dev-processes-could-be-impacted-by-generative-ai- - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/21-of-game-developers-in-europe-hit-by-layoffs-with-54-now-utilising-ai-in-daily-work/ - https://gbatemp.net/threads/amazon-games-boss-says-ai-will-help-provide-more-jobs-in-the-video-game-industry-instead-of-taking-them-away.660001/