40% of game developers use generative AI according to a new report, but more than half reckon the technology has a negative impact on the games industry

A recent report reveals that 40% of game developers are currently utilizing generative AI, according to findings from the State of the Game Industry report released at the Game Developers Conference. Despite this growing usage, an overwhelming majority of developers, more than half, believe that the technology has a negative impact on the games industry. This sentiment has become increasingly prevalent, with the percentage of negative views up 1% from the beginning of 2026 and a 25% rise from 2025.

The report surveyed over 2,600 professionals from across the game industry, showing that older professionals and men are more likely to employ generative AI tools in their work. However, there are disparities in the application of AI among different segments of the industry, with indie developers being less likely to use these tools compared to studios working on premium, free-to-play, and mobile-exclusive games.

Researchers found that the majority of developers who use generative AI employ it for research and brainstorming, with nearly three-quarters of advocates utilizing the technology for this purpose. Over half, or 56%, use AI for code generation and debugging. Yet, the creative aspects of game development, such as concept art and player-facing features, see much less usage of generative AI, only 22% and 7% respectively.

The perception of generative AI's impact on the industry remains predominantly negative, with 55% of respondents stating it has a negative effect, up 1% from the previous year and 25% higher than in 2025. Only 35% see the impact as mixed, while a mere 8% believe it is having a positive effect. The report suggests that professionals in the games industry are developing more nuanced perspectives on generative AI, moving away from an all-or-nothing stance.

Concerns are mounting that the use of AI in game development may lead to skill atrophy and hinder professional and personal growth. Developers are also increasingly wary of using AI for player-facing features. The rise in AI usage coincides with more pronounced effects of AI on the games industry, particularly the issue of "AI slop games" and heated debates surrounding agentic coding tools on platforms like Steam and itch.io.

As the debate around AI in the games industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these opinions will shift in the coming year, given the recent scrutiny and investor doubts within the broader AI sector.