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Most Game Developers Back Unions — Over Half Would Join, GDC Salary Report Finds

08:49 AM, 11/23/2025
Most Game Developers Back Unions — Over Half Would Join, GDC Salary Report Finds

The 2025 GDC Salary Report shows that more than 60% of U.S. game developers support unions and over half would like to join one. Support is strongest among younger workers and those earning under $100,000. The survey of 562 professionals found an average salary near $142,000 (median $129,000), yet 53% feel undercompensated; about 25% reported layoffs in the past two years.

A new survey from the Game Developers Conference (GDC) reveals widespread support for unionization across the U.S. game industry: more than 60% of developers say they support unions, and over half would like to join one.

Key findings

  • Union support: More than 60% of respondents back unions; just under 10% are currently union members.
  • Interest in joining: Over 50% expressed interest in joining a union.
  • Workforce disruption: About one in four industry professionals reported being laid off in the past two years.
  • Compensation: The survey found an average salary near $142,000 and a median of $129,000, yet 53% say they feel somewhat or significantly undercompensated for their role and experience.
  • Extra work: Roughly 11% of full-time respondents reported doing additional work outside their primary job.

The survey indicates that support for unionization is strongest among younger developers and those earning under $100,000. Respondents in business and marketing, visual arts, management and operations were more likely to report feeling underpaid.

Recent industry turbulence—studio closures, large mergers and acquisitions such as Electronic Arts’ $55 billion buyout by a consortium that included Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, tensions between management and development teams, and concerns about the impact of generative AI—has contributed to frustration and uncertainty among workers.

Methodology: GDC surveyed 562 game industry professionals across the U.S. in July 2025. The results carry a margin of error of ±3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

These findings suggest a growing appetite for collective organization as employees weigh compensation, job security and industry shifts. Whether this sentiment translates into a wave of new organizing remains to be seen, but the data highlights clear pressure points employers will need to address.

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