Updated

A Game Developers Conference (GDC) State of the Game Industry report found that 40% of game developers use generative AI, up from 36% last year, while 55% say it is harming the games industry. Use was higher among older workers, with 54% of those over 45 using it, and among men, and lower among indie developers than among studios making premium, free-to-play and mobile-exclusive games. Research and brainstorming were the most common uses, cited by nearly three-quarters of users, followed by code generation and debugging at 56%, while only 22% used it for concept art and 7% for player-facing features. Negative views still dominate: 55% said generative AI is having a negative effect on the industry, up 1% from early 2026 and 25% from 2025, while 35% called the impact mixed and 8% positive. PC Gamer reported that the report, which used AI sentiment analysis tools, concluded that professionals are forming more nuanced views rather than taking an all-or-nothing stance. The report also flagged new concerns that AI use leads to skill atrophy and loss of professional and personal development, and a dimmer view of using it for player-facing features.