Young game industry professionals at the ongoing 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco have expressed reservations about the future employment opportunities amid a changing landscape.
The 2025 GDC, one of the gaming industry's most influential events, runs from March 17 to 21 at the city's Moscone Center and has drawn some 30,000 attendees including representatives from major tech companies like Meta, Epic, and Netflix, alongside numerous independent game developers.
However, beneath the surface of fun and games, some attendees discussed the booming influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and growing concerns about job security within the industry.
A recent GDC survey of 3,000 developers revealed that one in ten had been laid off in the past year, and half of the developers are self-funding their games.
"I'm kind of nervous about getting into the industry. I'm not sure if there's a place for me. So it's just a lot of competition," said Tessa Breland, a visual effects artist at Mars Games.
Haley Hughes, a level designer at Mars Games, echoed the concern, citing recent industry layoffs.
"I have seen a bunch of cases of layoffs and studio closings and stuff like that. Marvel Rivals, that new MOBA or battle arena-type game, ended up closing their studio in Washington, and Ubisoft has closed a few studios, and you just see it happening a lot more this year than it has in previous years, so that's a little bit scary for somebody who's still in school and trying to get their foot into the door," she said. Another key issue at this year's GDC is the increasing use of generative AI in game development. While the GDC survey found that one in three developers are using AI to streamline their work, there is a growing sense of distrust.
Only 13 percent of developers believe generative AI is having a positive impact on the industry, down from 21 percent last year. Conversely, 30 percent believe it has had a negative impact, a 12-point increase from 2024. Key concerns among developers include the potential for copyright theft and the overall quality of AI-generated content.
2025 Game Developers Conference held in San Francisco amid industry layoffs
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
