The gaming industry in the United States, especially in California, has been facing a wave of layoffs, with over 50% of job cuts happening in this state according to Amir Satvat, director of business development at Tencent Games. Despite this, the total number of people employed in the industry has actually increased since the pandemic. However, many professionals in North American studios, particularly in AAA teams, have been heavily affected by these layoffs.
Broadening job search horizons beyond the gaming industry is becoming essential, as advised by Satvat. Moving to related areas like content production on streaming platforms or even to completely different sectors where their skills can be applied may be necessary for many workers in the industry. Satvat estimates that the majority of people looking for work in gaming will eventually need to accept jobs outside of this field.
Nevertheless, Satvat remains optimistic about the market’s growth. He sees independent creation and co-production on the rise, with tools and opportunities more accessible than ever for anyone looking to launch their own projects. However, he cautions that the traditional model of stable employment in large studios is becoming increasingly hard to come by, pushing professionals to adapt to new ways of working.
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