22% of UK games industry workers have experienced job loss in the last three years, including redundancies, studio closures, and the end of fixed-term contracts.
This data comes from UKIE, which has released the third edition of its industry census, now called the UK Games Industry Workforce Demographics Survey.
Professor Mark Taylor designed, conducted, and authored the survey, which is based on responses from 1,610 UK games industry professionals collected between November 2025 and January 2026.
This is a decrease from 3,603 respondents in the 2021 edition. UKIE noted these results are “best understood as a snapshot rather than an exhaustive audit.”
“The findings reflect the experiences of those who took part during significant upheaval. Because both the industry and respondent base have changed since previous editions, they should be read on their own terms rather than compared directly with earlier findings,” the report said.
Job losses
The survey’s primary focus was the effect of layoffs and studio closures, with 22% of respondents experiencing job loss in the past three years.
Half of respondents who left a job, including those who transitioned to new roles, secured new employment within three months. Those who have been searching for a new role for over a year are the most likely to plan to leave the industry altogether.
Non-binary (29%) and female (23%) respondents were more likely to have lost a job than men (20%), and writers and artists were disproportionately affected, with 44% and 31% reporting job losses, respectively.
The report identified a direct correlation between job loss and declining mental health, noting that job loss is often linked to increased mental health conditions.
Outlook
In response to these findings, UKIE’s Raise The Game initiative has formed a coalition of industry partners to expand their efforts and support them with a dedicated fund.
These partners include: Into Games, Many Cats Studio, Melanin Gamers, POC in Play, Safe In Our World, Special Effect, Code Coven, Limit Break, Games Leadership, and Women in Games.
“Together, these partners will develop an action plan that responds directly to what this survey has found, so that the next generation of games professionals enters an industry that is equitable and safe for everyone.”
