Video game devs: we use AI, but we hate it.

A new survey of over 2,600 video game workers reveals a classic love-hate relationship with generative AI in the industry. While 40% of game workers reported using AI in their work, 55% of respondents thought AI would negatively impact the gaming industry overall. Use was highest in business operations (63%), marketing (51%), and programming (48%), and lowest among developers at older indie studios (29%) and those working on premium games (32%). Mobile studios and free-to-play developers were the biggest adopters, with 70% and 58% usage respectively.

The split highlights a familiar tech industry dynamic: tools that promise efficiency are adopted pragmatically by some, while others fear their long-term impact on jobs and creative quality. The real-world impact is that AI is already deeply integrated into game development pipelines, especially in cost-conscious sectors like mobile and free-to-play, but it remains a point of tension and anxiety for the workforce. The takeaway? In gaming, as elsewhere, the AI revolution is being implemented by people who are deeply ambivalent about its consequences.