More game developers are starting to use generative AI

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="A photo from the GDC Festival of Gaming 2026 event." data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/11/55145037587_ac59503045_k.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> A photo from the GDC Festival of Gaming 2026 event. </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">More video game developers are using generative AI tools in their jobs compared to last year, according to the GDC Festival of Gaming's <a href="https://gdconf.com/article/gdc-2026-state-of-the-game-industry-reveals-impact-of-layoffs-generative-ai-and-more/">latest annual industry survey</a>. Forty percent of developers surveyed say they use it "as part of their job," <a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/869386/ai-game-development-gdc-survey">an increase from 36 percent in 2025</a>. Usage was higher with game developers that work on free-to-play games at 58 percent and mobile-only studio workers at 70 percent.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The survey is being published as the game industry continues to reckon with generative AI tools. While many game developers, particularly <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/897982/gdc-2026-ai-game-developer-conference">indie developers</a>, have spoken out strongly against the technology, AI is at the center of indie awa …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/1032085/gdc-festival-of-gaming-annual-survey-ai-layoffs">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>