AI-assisted development may have the greatest impact on the games industry over the next three years, according to the 2026 gamescom dev Speaker Survey. But technology is only one part of the picture. Respondents also identified smaller teams as the biggest opportunity for developers, leadership as the most sought-after future skill, and economic uncertainty as its greatest challenge.
The survey, completed by 100 speakers from this year’s gamescom dev conference, offers a snapshot of current industry sentiment ahead of the event, taking place from August 23–25. Overall, 83% expect AI to affect team structure or productivity in some way, while 54% cite economic uncertainty as the industry’s biggest current challenge, and 32% believe more transparent platform algorithms would most improve game discoverability.
Here’s a quick overview of the results from the survey:
What is currently the biggest challenge facing the games industry?
Economic uncertainty received the most responses with 54, followed by market saturation with 38, discoverability with 35, and increasing development costs with 30. Adapting to new technologies received 16 responses, talent acquisition and retention seven, monetization four, and other answers twelve. Multiple answers were possible.
Which industry development will have the biggest impact over the next three years?
47% selected AI-assisted development. Hardware and RAM prices ranked second at 28%, followed by the creator economy at 7%, user-generated content at 5%, cross-platform ecosystems and new hardware platforms or generations at 4% each, cloud gaming at 1%, and other answers at 4%.
What represents the biggest opportunity for game developers over the next three years?
Smaller development teams ranked first at 37%. New publishing models and community building received 15% each, followed by new technologies at 13%, emerging markets at 11%, cross-platform audiences at 6%, and other answers at 3%.
Which business or monetization model will dominate the games market over the next three years?
Digital and physical premium games ranked first at 29%, followed by live service at 24% and free-to-play with in-game items at 21%. Community-funded models received 10%, free-to-play with advertising 6%, subscriptions 5%, and other answers 5%.
Where do you currently see the most value of AI in game development?
Code & Production ranked first at 34%, while 30% would like to see as little AI involvement in game development as possible. Management & Administration followed at 12%, QA & Testing and other answers at 7% each, Art & Animation at 4%, Localization at 3%, Marketing & Communication at 2%, and Narrative Design at 1%.
Will AI reduce development team sizes over the next three years?
36% believe AI will change roles rather than reduce teams, while 33% expect it to reduce team sizes. A further 14% believe it will increase output per person, and 17% do not expect it to reduce teams.
How do you personally discover most new games?
Friends and communities received the most responses with 68, followed by social media with 46, gaming media with 41, and video and streaming platforms with 32. Digital showcases received 26 responses, digital storefronts 25, events such as gamescom 21, and other answers two. Multiple answers were possible.
Which change would most improve game discoverability today?
More transparent platform algorithms ranked first at 32%, followed by better storefront recommendations at 22%, more curated editorial features at 21%, and greater visibility through creators and influencers at 19%. More industry events and showcases and other answers received 3% each.
What skill will become most sought after in game development?
Leadership ranked first at 27%, followed by technical programming at 19%, Art & Design at 12%, and AI literacy and other answers at 11% each. Community management received 10%, while Production and Narrative received 5% each.
