Talent Signals Reshaping the Games Industry: What the Data Shows

Monday, August 24, 2026 6:15 PM to 6:45 PM · 30 min. (Europe/Berlin)
Stage 8 - Confex Level 2
Talk
~All~BusinessLeadership & HR

Information

Ten editions. Over a decade of data. And the games talent force is still full of surprises. This session combines results from the 2026 Big Games Industry Employment Survey, presented exclusively at gamescom dev for the third year running. With first-hand talent intelligence from executive search and studio buildouts across Europe and Asia. Salaries, well-being, AI adoption, leadership shifts, and the talent geographies that will define the next chapter of game development.
Topics
~All~BusinessLeadership & HR
Track
Call for Change
Session Type
Talk
Target Audiences
Both employers and employees
Experience Level
Beginner
Key Take Aways
What the survey reveals about salaries by profession, location and level Gender pay gap and ask gap: where we are in 2026 Income satisfaction and desired salaries vs. reality Overtime, job security and how they connect to employee loyalty Perks and benefits: what studios actually offer vs. what people want AI adoption at work: how widespread, how welcome Pet projects, side gigs, fractional and freelance work on the rise Why UA and marketing backgrounds are moving into leadership Creative roles gaining strategic leverage in studio org charts Talent density as the metric that matters more than headcount Turkey, Vietnam, China: what their talent systems tell European studios
Available to Ticket Type(s)
  • gcdev Student Pass
    • gcdev Content Pass
      • gcdev Trade Pass
        • gcdev Press Pass
          • gcdev Speaker Pass
            • gcdev VIP Pass

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