Games and Interactive: Salary And Satisfaction Survey 2024/2025Report

and
SALARY & SATISFACTION SURVEY 2024/25
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

This year marks the 11th annual Games & Interactive Salary & Satisfaction
Survey!
For over a decade, we’ve been gathering insights from the t alented people
across the games and interactive industries, tracking salaries , workplace
trends, and the key issues shaping the sector. Every year, we evolve the
survey to reflect the changing landscape, and this year is no exception.
For the first time, we’ve introduced dedicated sections from UKIE and Safe
In Our World, alongside new deep dives into design, the MENA re gion, and
the people behind the hires. We’ve also explored the path t o a gaming
career, offering a closer look at how professionals break into the ind ustry,
as well as an XR section that provides an insight into the im mersive tech
space.
We’re committed to using these insights to support both job s eekers and
studios, providing the most relevant and up-to-date information p ossible.
As always, we’re open to your feedback. if there are specif ic areas or job
titles you’d like us to explore in future reports, let us know!
A huge thank you to everyone who completed this year’s survey or helped
spread the word. We hope you find this year’s report i nsightful. If you have
any questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you.
Giles
GILES FENWICK
Director of Games & Interactive gf@skillsearch.com
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

ON BEHALF OF UKIEON BEHALF OF SAFE IN OUR WORLD
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

18 to
24
25 to 34
35
t o 44
45 to 54
55 t o 6
4
0%
10%
20%
30% 40%
50%
SEXUALITY BREAKDOWN
Ase
x
ua l
Bi se
x ua
l
Gay
Stra ight
Lesbi a
n
Ot her
Pansexual
P ref e
r n
ot
t o
say
Queer
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Female
Male
Non-Binary
Prefer Not To Say 23%
73%
2%
1%
69% OF THOSE THAT TOOK PART IN THIS YEARS
SURVEY SAID IT WAS THEIR FIRST TIME TAKING PART
AGE BREAKDOWN
GENDER BREAKDOWN
© Skillsearch and
www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Afr
ican/African descent
East A
sian
Latino/Latina/Hispanic
Mi dd l
e
Eas t
ern/ N
ort
h Afri
can
Mi xed o r
Mu l
ti –
ethnic
Other
Prefer not to say Sou
th As
ia
n
So u
thea st
A
sian
W hite/Caucasia n
0%
10%
20%
30% 40%
50% 60% 70%
ETHNICITY BREAKDOWN
LOCATION BREAKDOWN
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
UK
North America
Eastern Europe
Western Europe MENA
APAC 32%
22%
10%
26%
5%
5%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Grad
ua
te
Ju n
io r
M i
d -L
e
ve l
Se n
io
r
L e
a d
/Ma
na
g
er
Pr in
cip al
D ire
c
to
r
C- Su
ite
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
1% 5%
23%
34%
17%
6%
10%
3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Contract
Permanent 23%
77%
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
CAREER LEVEL
COMPANY SIZE
1-9 10-49 50-99 100-249 250+
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25% 30%
35%
11%
22%
15% 17% 35%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

TIME IN INDUSTRY
<12 Months 1-2 Years 3-4 Years 5-10 Years 10+ Years
0%
10%
20%
30% 40%
3% 8%
18%
32%
39%
AREA BREAKDOWN
Programming
25% Art
20%
Design 16%
XR
16% Business Ops
14%
Other
10%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
I was made redundant
My studio closed and everyone was made redundant I wasn’t affected
No, they have not affected me or my studio 21%
7%
33%
38%
REDUNDANCY IMPACT
TOP 3 REASONS FOR REDUNDANCIES
STUDIO BUDGET
CUTS LACK OF STUDIO
PROFITS LACK OF FUNDING
FROM INVESTORS
35% ARE CONSIDERING
LEAVING THE INDUSTRY AS A RESULT OF REDUNDANCIES
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025
MALE MID-SENIOR
LEVEL WORK IN ART, DESIGN
OR PROGRAMMING BASED IN THE UK ORWESTERN EUROPE
OF THOSE MADE REDUNDANT, THE MAJORITY WERE…

Ver y U
n
sat isfi
ed
U n
sat
isfi
e
d
Neut
r
al
Sat isfi
e
d
Ve ry S
ati
s fi
ed
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
27%
14%
35%
16%
7%
FEELINGS TOWARDS REDUNDANCY PACKAGE
55% OF RESPONDENTS HAVE FOUND A
NEW JOB SINCE BEING MADE
REDUNDANT
ON AVERAGE RESPONDENTS ARE CONCERNED
ABOUT THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
32% OF THOSE WHO WERE NOT AFFECTED BY
REDUNDANCIES FEEL INSECURE IN THEIR ROLE
42% OF THOSE WHO WERE MADE
REDUNDANT ARE UNSATISFIED WITH THEIR REDUNDANCY PACKAGE
THAT’S A 2% DECREASE
COMPARED TO LAST YEAR!
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MADE REDUNDANT BY TIME IN THE INDUSTRY
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MADE REDUNDANT BY TIME AT THEI R COMPANY
*It is possible these statistics are simply a reflection on the cohort of this year’s survey, and not
an accurate depiction of the redundancies that were made in the enti re market
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
<12 Months
1-2 Years
3-4 Years
5-10 Years
10+ Years 1%
1%
13%
48%
38%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
<12 Months 1-2 Years
3-4 Years
5-10 Years 10+ Years 65%
21%
7%
4%
2%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF A JOB LISTING
JOB DESCRIPTION REMOTE WORKING SALARY
EXPECTED LENGTHS OF STAGES IN THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
FEEDBACK ON CV FEEDBACK ON A TEST CV TO OFFER
FINAL INTERVIEW FEEDBACK VERBAL TO WRITTEN OFFER
2-7 DAYS
2-7 DAYS
2-4 MONTHS
2-7 DAYS
48 HOURS
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

MOST FRUSTRATING ISSUES WITH THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
1. LACK OF
URGENCY 2. BAD
COMMUNICATION 3. LENGTHY INTERVIEW
PROCESS
THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE FEEL THEY RARELY
RECEIVE HELPFUL FEEDBACK AFTER AN INTERVIEW
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025
4. SLOW
FEEDBACK 5. TOO
MANY TESTS 6. IRRELEVANT OR
UNFAIR QUESTIONS
30% TURNED DOWN A JOB OFFER IN 2024

THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO RELOCATE TO…
ARE FROM…
WESTERN EUROPE MENA
ARE FROM…
NORTH AMERICA OR THE UK
EASTERN EUROPE
ARE FROM…
NORTH AMERICA OR WESTERN EUROPE APAC
ARE FROM…
WESTERN EUROPE UK
ARE FROM… THE UK
NORTH AMERICA
ARE FROM…THE UK
WESTERN EUROPE
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

TOP 3 THINGS THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN DECIDING TO RELOCATE
INCREASED SALARY THE RIGHT PROJECT RELOCATION PACKAGE
TOP 3 CONCERNS ABOUT RELOCATING
JOB SECURITYFAMILY CONSIDERATION COST OF LIVING
29% OF RESPONDENTS HAVE TURNED DOWN A ROLE DUE
TO THE RELOCATION PACKAGE BEING INSUFFICIENT
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

78% OF RESPONDENTS ARE CURRENTLY FEELING ANEGATIVE IMPACT DUE TO THE COST OF LIVING
THIS IS THE SAME % AS LAST YEAR!
84% ANTICIPATE FEELING A NEGATIVE IMPACT OF COST OF LIVING IN THE FUTURE
+1% INCREASE ON LAST YEAR!
47% OF RESPONDENTS REPORT BEING FINANCIALLYWORSE OFF COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR
75% FEEL THEIR EMPLOYER ISN’T CONSIDERING OR
SUPPORTING THEM AS A RESULT OF THE COST OF LIVING
TOP EMPLOYER STRATEGIES TO HELP WITH THE COST OF LI VING
INCREASED
SALARY FLEXIBILITY ON
WORK LOCATION EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
53% ARE CONSIDERING ASKING FOR A PAY RISE IN THE NE XT 12 MONTHS
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

51% OF RESPONDENTS ARE CONSIDERING CHANGINGJOBS TO FIND AN EMPLOYER WITH BETTER SUPPORT
TOP 3 CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF COST OF LIVING
SAVINGS FOR LATER IN LIFE STRESS/MENTAL
HEALTH LACK OF CURRENT
SAVINGS
30% OF RESPONDENTS ARE CONSIDERING RELOCATING TO
A DIFFERENT COUNTRY AS A RESULT OF THE COST OF LIVI NG
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

8% OF RESPONDENTS CURRENTLY WORK ATA STUDIO OFFERING A 4 DAY WEEK
79% OF RESPONDENTS WOULD BE INTERESTED INWORKING A 4 DAY WEEK IN THE FUTURE IF THEIR STUDIO ALLOWED IT
64% FEEL THAT
THIS IMPROVES PRODUCTIVITY
85% FEEL THAT
THIS IMPROVES MORALE
63% BELIEVE IT ITWOULD IMPROVE PRODUCTIVTY
82% OF RESPONDENTS HAVE AN OVERALL POSITIVE FEELING ABOUT A 4 DAY WEEK 78% OF RESPONDENTS WOULDACTIVELY SEEK OUT A STUDIO OFFERING A 4 DAY WEEK
THIS HAS REMAINED THE SAME FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS!
TOP 3 BENEFITS OF A 4 DAY WEEK
TOP 3 LIMITATIONS OF A 4 DAY WEEK
WORK LIFE
BALANCE IMPROVED
MENTAL HEALTH INCREASED
PRODUCTIVITY
BAD FOR BUSINSESS COULD FRUSTRATE CLIENTS
LONGER HOURS
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025
92% BELIEVE IT IT
WOULD IMPROVE TEAM MORALE

LINKEDIN
INDEED
THE TOP 3 JOB HUNTING PLATFORMS
DIRECT ON STUDIO SITEJOB BOARDS
THE TOP 3 JOB BOARDS USED WHEN LOOKING FOR A ROLE
GAMES JOBS DIRECT
GAMESINDUSTRY.BIZ
80% OF RESPONDENTS REPORT HAVING A
UNIVERSITY DEGREE
44% OF WHICH ARE GAMES RELATED DEGREES
& 24% SAID THEY DID AN UNPAID PLACEMENT
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

TIME IT TOOK TO SECURE A JOB…
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025
With A Games Related Degree
Without A Games Related Degree
Before Gradu
ating
W it
hin A
Ye
ar
1-2 Y
ears
2-3
Years
3-5 Y
ears
5+ Year s
0%
10%
20%
30% 40%
50% 60% 70%
15%
12%
61%
31%
8%
13%
6%
11%
4%
11%
7%
21%

© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025
THE TOP 3 FIRST JOBS IN THE INDUSTRY BY AREA
ART PROGRAMMING DESIGN
MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SECURED THEIR FIRST JOB
IN THE INDUSTRY BY APPLYING TO A JOB AD
62% FEEL THAT STUDIOS DON’T DO ENOUGH TO
ENCOURAGE GAMES & XR AS A VIABLE CAREER CHOICE
THE TOP 3 PIECES OF ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD LI KE
TO GET INTO THE GAMES & XR INDUSTRY
BUILD A STRONG PORTFOLIO ACTIVELY
NETWORK BE PERSISTENT
& PATIENT

£0 £20,000 £40,000 £60,000 £
Scotland
North East
North West
Yorkshire & The Humber West MidlandsEast Midlands
East Of England London
South East
South West £53,686
£59,258
£54,945
£52,745
£52,946
£55,474
£53,707
£70,190
£65,152
£48,992
AVERAGE SALARY BY REGION
Graduate
Junior
Mi d-
L ev
el
Senior
Lead /
M a
na g
er
P rinc
ipa
l
D i
r e
ct
or
£0
£20,000
£40,000
£60,000
£80,000
£100,000 £120,000
£27,175 £30,313
£45,891
£54,275
£72,981 £76,010
£114,150 AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Mid-Level Senior Lead/Manager
Director
£0
£ 20,000
£40,0 00
£60,0 00
£8 0
,0 0
0
£ 10
0,0 0
0
£120,000 £140,000
Scotland
North East
North West
Yorkshire & The Humber West MidlandsEast Midlands
East Of England London
South East
South West
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY & REGION
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Art Design Production
Programming Business Ops
£0
£20, 0
00
£40,000 £6 0
,000
£80,000
£100
,0
00
£ 120,
000
Junior
Mid-Level Senior
Lead/Manager PrincipalDirector
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY & DISCIPLINE
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Male Female Non-Binary
Prefer Not To Say
Junior Mid-Level Senior Lead/Manager
£0
£10,000
£20,000
£30,000 £40,000
£50,000
£60,000 £70,000
AVERAGE SALARY BY GENDER & SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Junior
Mid-Level Senior
Lead/Manager PrincipalDirector
JOB HUNTING BY SENIORITY
JOB HUNTING BY COUNTY
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Scotland
Northern Ireland
North East
North West
Yorkshire & The Humber West MidlandsEast Midlands
Wales
East Of England
London
South East
South West
77% WILL BE OR ARE
CONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Financial remuneration
Concerned about the future security of my company
Better/more challenging or exciting projects
End of freelance/contract position
More remote or flexible working
Limited opportunities for promotion at current company
Redundancy
Other
Chance to move abroad
Better work life balance
I want to re-skill/change discipline
Better company culture/atmosphere
No longer feel challenged
Change of location
Location change – in the same country
Decreased responsibility
Experience working in another industry
Increased responsibility24.3%
19.3%
11.2%
9.3%
8.7%
5.6%
5.6%
5.3%
3.7%
3.4%
2.5%
2.2%
1.9%
1.6%
0.9%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

The salary of the new job was not as high as I was expecting
I wanted to stay and finish a project at my current job
The job/projects weren’t what I was expecting
Current employer was a better fit
I received multiple job offers
Content at current employer
Relocation issues – family related
There wasn’t enough remote working
The process took too long
My existing employer offered me a payrise
My current company offered me a change in project
My existing employer offered me a promotion
Relocation issues – not family related
There was too much remote working 18.7%
15.8%
9.6%
6.2%
6.2%
5.7%
5.3%
3.8%
3.3%
2.9%
2.4%
2.4%
1.0%
0.5%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private healthcare
Pension
4 day week
Bonuses based on performance
Share options
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Private dental
Extra holiday
Company funded certifications/qualifications
Gym membership
Conference budgets
Annual company events
Merchandise
Childcare vouchers
Employee assistance programme
Mobile phone allowance
Car allowance
Office games
Cycle to work scheme
None of the above16.8%
15.0%
11.7%
8.6%
8.4%
6.9%
6.2%
6.1%
4.7%
2.7%
2.3%
2.0%
1.9%
1.2%
1.0%
1.0%
0.9%
0.8%
0.8%
0.6%
0.4%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Salary
Company culture
Challenging projects
Personal progression
Extra monetary benefits
Work life balance
Flexible hours
Benefits
92% ARE EXPECTING TO WORK 1
OR MORE DAYS REMOTELY PER
WEEK IN 2025
44% EXPECT TO BE WORKING
REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN
2025
1 2345678
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

€0 €10,000 €20,000 €30,000 €40,000 €50,000 €60,000
Art
Design
Production
Programming
Business Ops €52,773
€47,346
€51,832
€41,929
€56,455
Male Female Non-Binary Prefer Not To Say
€0
€10,000
€20,000
€30,000 €40,000
€50,000 €60,000 €70,000
€66,026
€39,400 €33,456
€40,781
AVERAGE SALARY BY GENDER
Junior
Mid
-L
evel
Senior
L ead/M
anager
Principal Direc
to
r
€0
€20,000
€40,000
€60,000
€80,000
€100,000
€24,284
€39,547 €47,568
€78,871 €73,396
€97,144
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
AVERAGE SALARY BY DISCIPLINE
© Skillsearch and
www.skillsearch.com, 2025

JOB HUNTING BY SENIORITY
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Junior
Mid-Level Senior
Lead/Manager Director
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Armenia
Bulgaria CroatiaCyprus
Czechia
Georgia Greece
Macedonia
Poland
Romania Russia
Serbia
Ukraine
JOB HUNTING BY COUNTRY
81% WILL BE OR ARE
CONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
58% WERE
OFFERED A JOB IN 2024
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Financial remuneration
Concerned about the future security of my company
Better company culture/atmosphere
Limited opportunities for promotion at current company
Other
Chance to move abroad
Better work/life balance
Better/more challenging or exciting projects
End of freelance/contract position
More remote or flexible working
Redundancy
Experience working in another industry
I want to re-skill/change discipline
No longer feel challenged
Change of location 24.6%
23.1%
6.9%
6.2%
6.2%
5.4%
3.8%
3.8%
3.8%
3.8%
3.8%
2.3%
2.3%
2.3%
1.5%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

I wanted to stay and finish a project at my current job
The salary of the new job was not as high as I was expecting
Other
I received multiple job offers
My current employer was a better fit
My existing employer offered me a promotion
The job/projects weren’t what I was expecting
Relocation issues – family related
The process took too long
Content at current employer
The process felt rushed
There wasn’t enough remote working
My current company offered me a change in project/loca tion
My existing employer offered me a payrise
Relocation issues – not family related 18.3%
18.3%
18.3%
7.0%
5.6%
5.6%
5.6%
4.2%
4.2%
2.8%
2.8%
2.8%
1.4%
1.4%
1.4%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private healthcare
Pension
4 day week
Bonus based on performance
Share options
Private dental
Training
Extra holiday
Conference budgets
Company funded certifications
Annual company events
Gym membership
Employee assistance programme
Childcare vouchers
Car allowance
Office games
Mobile phone allowance17.8%
13.9%
11.4%
10.0%
7.7%
7.5%
6.2%
5.6%
5.6%
2.9%
2.7%
2.3%
1.7%
1.2%
0.8%
0.8%
0.8%
0.6%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Salary
Work life balance
Personal development
Company culture
Challenging projects
Flexible working hours
Extra monetary benefits
Benefits
93% ARE EXPECTING TO WORK 1
OR MORE DAYS REMOTELY PER
WEEK IN 2025
46% EXPECT TO BE WORKING
REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN
2025
1 2345678
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

€0€10,000 €20,0
00
€30,000 €40,000
€50,0 0
0
€60,000 €70,000
Art
Design
Production
Programming Business Ops €57,508
€58,776
€65,775
€47,676
€60,532
Male Female Non-Binary Prefer Not To Say
€0
€20,000
€40,000
€60,000
€80,000
€68,274 €63,109
€42,300
€70,773
AVERAGE SALARY BY GENDER
J
uni
or
Mid-Level Senior
Le ad/
Ma
n ager
Princip
al
Dire cto
r
€0
€20,000
€40,000
€60,000
€80,000
€100,000
€35,220 €39,000
€55,724 €59,799
€77,404
€97,873
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
AVERAGE SALARY BY DISCIPLINE
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

AVERAGE SALARY BY COUNTRY & SENIORITY
France Germany Italy Netherlands
Spain Sweden
Ju nior
Mi d
-Leve l
Sen i
or
P rincipal
Lea d
/M
an
ag e
r
Director
€0
€50,000
€100,000
€150,000
€200,000
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

JOB HUNTING BY SENIORITY
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Junior
Mid-Level Senior
Lead/Manager
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Belgium
Denmark Finland
Germany
IcelandIreland Italy
Portugal Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Netherlands France
JOB HUNTING BY COUNTRY
68% WILL BE OR ARE
CONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
58% WERE
OFFERED A JOB IN 2024
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Financial remuneration
Concerned about the future security of my company
Better/more challenging or exciting projects
Other
End of freelance/contract position
Better company culture/atmosphere
Limited opportunities for promotion at current company
Chance to move abroad
More remote or flexible working
No longer feel challenged
Redundancy
I want to re-skill/change discipline
Decreased responsibility
Experience working in another industry
Better work/life balance
Change of location
Increased responsibility 26.6%
18.8%
9.2%
8.1%
5.9%
5.5%
5.2%
4.1%
3.3%
2.6%
2.6%
2.2%
1.5%
1.1%
1.1%
1.1%
0.7%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

I wanted to stay and finish a project at my current job
The salary of the new job was not as high as I was expecting
The job/projects weren’t what I was expecting
Other
I received multiple job offers
There wasn’t enough remote working
My existing employer offered me a payrise
Content at current employer
My existing employer offered me a promotion
Relocation issues – family related
My current employer was a better fit
The process took too long
Relocation issues – not family related
My current company offered me a change in project/loca tion20.9%
16.9%
11.5%
10.8%
10.1%
8.8%
4.1%
3.4%
3.4%
3.4%
2.7%
2.0%
1.4%
0.7%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private health care
Pension
4 day week
Bonuses based on performance
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Private dental care
Share options
Extra holiday
Gym membership
Annual company events
Company funded certifications/qualifications
Childcare vouchers
Conference budgets
Merchandise
Employee assistance programme
Office games
Cycle to work scheme
Mobile phone allowance
Car allowance19.5%
15.1%
12.9%
8.9%
8.6%
6.5%
6.1%
5.6%
5.1%
2.2%
2.0%
1.7%
1.1%
1.1%
0.8%
0.8%
0.5%
0.5%
0.3%
0.2%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Salary
Work life balance
Challenging projects
Company culture
Personal development
Flexible working hours
Benefits
Extra monetary benefits
94% ARE EXPECTING TO WORK 1
OR MORE DAYS REMOTELY PER
WEEK IN 2025
46% EXPECT TO BE WORKING
REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN
2025
1 2345678
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

Male Female Non-Binary
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000 $120,000
$140,000
$132,995
$112,840
$98,150
AVERAGE SALARY BY GENDER
$0 $50,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000
Graduate
Junior
Mid-Level Senior
Lead/Manager
PrincipalDirector $53,426
$64,100
$90,094
$100,824
$131,420
$165,000
$186,800
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Art Design Production Programming
Business Ops
JuniorMi
d-Level
Senior
P rincip
al
Lead/Manager Dire
cto r
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
AVERAGE SALARY BY DISCIPLINE & SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

JOB HUNTING BY SENIORITY
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Junior
Mid-Level Senior
Lead/Manager PrincipalDirector
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
British Columbia CaliforniaOntario
Quebec Texas
Washington
JOB HUNTING BY STATE
76% WILL BE OR ARE CONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
57% WERE
OFFERED A JOB IN 2024
THIS IS A 9% INCREASE ON LAST YEAR!
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Financial remuneration
Concerned about the future security of my company
Better/more challenging or exciting projects
End of freelance/contract position
Other
Better company culture/atmosphere
Limited opportunities for promotion at current company
Redundancy
Chance to move abroad
Change of location
More remote or flexible working
Better work/life balance
I want to re-skill/change discipline
Experience working in another industry
Increased responsibility
Decreased responsibility
Location change – in the same country25.9%
17.4%
8.9%
8.9%
6.3%
5.4%
4.9%
4.5%
4.0%
3.1%
3.1%
2.2%
1.8%
1.3%
1.3%
0.4%
0.4%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

I wanted to stay and finish a project at my current job
The salary of the new job was not as high as I was expecting
Other
I received multiple job offers
The job/projects weren’t what I was expecting
Relocation issues – family related
IMy current employer was a better fit
There wasn’t enough remote working
The process took too long
Content at current employer
My existing employer offered me a payrise
Relocation issues – not family related
The process felt rushed 18.9%
16.2%
14.4%
9.9%
9.9%
7.2%
6.3%
5.4%
4.5%
2.7%
2.7%
0.9%
0.9%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private health care
Pension
4 day week
Bonuses based on performance
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Private dental care
Share options
Extra holiday
Company funded certifications/qualifications
Conference budgets
Annual company events
Gym membership
Employee assistance programme
Merchandise
Car allowance
Mobile phone allowance
Office games
Childcare vouchers
Cycle to work scheme20.0%
16.1%
12.5%
8.2%
7.2%
6.7%
6.4%
5.3%
4.8%
2.3%
1.7%
1.2%
1.1%
1.0%
0.7%
0.6%
0.6%
0.6%
0.5%
0.4%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Salary
Work life balance
Company culture
Challenging projects
Personal development
Flexible working hours
Benefits
Extra monetary benefits
91% ARE EXPECTING TO WORK 1
OR MORE DAYS REMOTELY PER
WEEK IN 2025
42% EXPECT TO BE WORKING
REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN
2025
THIS IS A 5% DECREASE ON LAST YEAR!
1 2345678
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

Male Female
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000 $40,000
$50,000 $60,000
$70,000
$61,450
$44,360
AVERAGE SALARY BY GENDER
Ju
nio r
M id-Leve
l
Senio r
Pr incip
al
Le ad /Manage
r
D ir
ector
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
$140,000
$42,000
$61,483
$77,906
$110,160
$88,453
$139,755 AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

AVERAGE SALARY BY DISCIPLINE & SENIORITY
Art Design Production Programming
Ju n
ior
M id-
Le v
e l
Sen ior
Princ i
pal
Le ad /Mana
ge
r
Di r
ec to
r
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

JOB HUNTING BY SENIORITY
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Junior
Mid-Level Senior
Lead/Manager
PrincipalDirector
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Egypt
Saudi Arabia Tunisia
Turkey UAE
JOB HUNTING BY COUNTRY
74% WILL BE OR ARECONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
55% WERE
OFFERED A JOB IN 2024
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Concerned about the future security of my company
Financial remuneration
End of freelance/contract position
Redundancy
Better/more challenging or exciting projects
Better company culture/atmosphere
Chance to move abroad
Limited opportunities for promotion at current company
Change of location
Better work/life balance
Increased responsibility 23.4%
17.0%
14.9%
12.8%
8.5%
6.4%
6.4%
4.3%
2.1%
2.1%
2.1%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

I wanted to stay and finish a project at my current job
Other
The salary of the new job was not as high
Content at current employer
I received multiple job offers
My current employer was a better fit
Relocation issues – not family related
My existing employer offered me a payrise
The job/projects weren’t what I was expecting
There wasn’t enough remote working21.2%
18.2%
15.2%
12.1%
9.1%
6.1%
6.1%
6.1%
3.0%
3.0%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private health care
Pension
Bonuses based on performance
4 day week
Private dental care
Share options
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Extra holiday
Company funded certifications/qualifications
Conference budgets
Gym membership
Annual company events
Car allowance
Other
Office games
Childcare vouchers
Mobile phone allowance19.8%
15.1%
14.6%
9.4%
6.6%
6.6%
6.1%
5.7%
4.2%
2.4%
1.9%
1.4%
1.4%
1.4%
0.9%
0.9%
0.9%
0.5%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Salary
Work life balance
Challenging projects
Company culture
Personal development
Flexible working hours
Benefits
Extra monetary benefits
89% ARE EXPECTING TO WORK 1
OR MORE DAYS REMOTELY PER
WEEK IN 2025
45% EXPECT TO BE WORKING
REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN
2025
1 2345678
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $5
Art
Design
Production
Programming $35,580
$35,488
$39,521
$40,165
$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000
Male
Female $43,155
$38,248
AVERAGE SALARY BY GENDER
J uni
or
Mid-Le v
e l
Sen ior
Pr incip
al
L ead/M
anager
Directo
r
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000 $120,000
$22,547
$28,600 $32,005
$70,210
$57,330
$103,100
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
AVERAGE SALARY BY DISCIPLINE
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

JOB HUNTING BY SENIORITY
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Mid-LevelSenior
Lead/Manager Principal
80% WILL BE OR ARE CONSIDERING JOB HUNTING IN 2025
48% WERE OFFERED A JOB IN 2024
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Financial remuneration
Concerned about the future security of my company
Limited opportunities for promotion at current company
Redundancy
Better/more challenging or exciting projects
Better company culture/atmosphere
Other
Better work/life balance
I want to re-skill/change discipline
No longer feel challenged
Chance to move abroad
Experience working in another industry
End of freelance/contract position
Increased responsibility 33.9%
19.6%
7.1%
5.4%
5.4%
5.4%
5.4%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
1.8%
1.8%
1.8%
1.8%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

I wanted to stay and finish a project at my current job
The salary of the new job was not good
Other
There wasn’t enough remote working
My current employer was a better fit
Relocation issues – not family related
My existing employer offered me a payrise
My existing employer offered me a promotion
Content at current employer
I received multiple job offers27.6%
27.6%
13.8%
6.9%
6.9%
3.4%
3.4%
3.4%
3.4%
3.4%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Private health care
Flexible/remote working
Pension
4 day week
Bonuses based on performance
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Extra holiday
Private dental care
Share options
Company funded certifications/qualifications
Gym membership
Employee assistance programme
Annual company events
Car allowance
Other
Office games
Merchandise
Childcare vouchers
Mobile phone allowance24.5%
20.7%
16.8%
11.4%
8.7%
8.2%
7.6%
7.1%
6.5%
2.2%
2.2%
2.2%
1.6%
1.1%
1.1%
1.1%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Salary
Work life balance
Challenging projects
Company culture
Personal development
Flexible working hours
Benefits
Extra monetary benefits
89% ARE EXPECTING TO WORK 1
OR MORE DAYS REMOTELY PER
WEEK IN 2025
46% EXPECT TO BE WORKING
REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN
2025
1 2345678
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

AVERAGE SALARY £44,905
UK
Eas te
rn Euro
pe
W est
er n Euro
pe
No r
th Am er
ic
a
APAC MEN
A
£0
£10,000
£20,000
£30,000 £40,000
£50,000 £60,000
£52,250
£44,329
£48,306
£59,561
£27,396
£33,587
AVERAGE SALARY BY CONTINENT
Juni
or
M id
-L ev
el
Senior
Pr
in
cip a
l
Lead/Manager Dir
ec t
or
£0
£20,000
£40,000
£60,000
£80,000
£100,000
£30,525
£41,561
£55,143
£73,923 £67,820
£93,645
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

£0 £10 £20 £30 £40 £50 £60
BlenderMaya
Motion Builder
Substance Designer Substance Painter
Zbrush £60,492
£59,140
£57,444
£62,393
£61,043
£59,235
£0 £10 £20 £30 £40 £50 £60
2D
3D
Character Concept
Environmental Lighting Art Technical
UX/UI Art VFX £54,670
£58,760
£54,481
£53,568
£57,872
£53,131
£62,177
£58,209
£57,312
AVERAGE SALARY BY PLATFORM
Console Mobile PC
£0
£20
£40
£60
£59,817 £55,132 £59,346
AVERAGE SALARY BY TYPE
AVERAGE SALARY BY SOFTWARE
© Skillsearch and
www.skillsearch.com , 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2D
3D
Character Concept
Environment
Lighting Artist
TechnicalUI/UX
Vehicle Art VFX
JOB HUNTING BY TYPE
JOB HUNTING BY TIME IN INDUSTRY
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
<12 Months
1-2 Years
3-4 Years
5-10 Years 10+ Years
77% WILL BE OR ARE CONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
39% WOULD CONSIDER MOVING TO ANOTHER AREA OF ART
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private health care
Pension
4 day week
Bonuses based on performance
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Private Dental
Extra holiday
Share options
Gym membership
Annual company events
Company funded certifications/qualifications
Childcare vouchers
Employee assistance programme
Office games
Cycle to work scheme
Mobile phone allowance
Merchandise
Conference budgets
Car allowance18.1%
14.0%
12.8%
8.7%
8.2%
7.7%
5.4%
5.3%
4.9%
2.7%
2.4%
1.8%
1.4%
1.1%
1.0%
1.0%
0.9%
0.9%
0.8%
0.6%
51% EXPECT TO BE
WORKING REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN 2025
90% ARE EXPECTING
TO WORK 1 OR MORE
DAYS REMOTELY PER WEEK IN 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

AVERAGE SALARY £66,645
UK
Ea stern Euro pe
W e
stern Europe
Nor
th Am
er
ica
APAC MENA
£0
£10,000
£20,000
£30,000 £40,000
£50,000 £60,000 £70,000
£51,741
£39,769
£49,373
£61,785
£27,320
£34,217
AVERAGE SALARY BY CONTINENT
J
uni
or
Mid-Level Senior
Pr incipa l
Lead/ Manager
Directo
r
£0
£20,000
£40,000
£60,000
£80,000
£100,000
£46,590
£55,491 £59,649
£77,434 £71,994
£91,715
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

£0 £20 £40 £60
Combat
Gameplay Level
Narrative
Quest
Sound
Technical
UI/UX £70,767
£74,044
£67,536
£59,226
£54,624
£61,175
£50,987
£49,987
Console Mobile PC
£0
£10
£20
£30 £40
£50 £60 £70
£62,328
£56,420 £54,579
AVERAGE SALARY BY TYPE
AVERAGE SALARY BY PLATFORM
36% WOULD CONSIDER MOVING TO ANOTHER
AREA OF GAMES
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
<12 Months1-2 Years
3-4 Years
5-10 Years
10+ Years
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Combat
Gameplay Level
Narrative Quest
Sound
Technical
UI/UX Design
JOB HUNTING BY AREA
JOB HUNTING BY TIME IN INDUSTRY
83% WILL BE OR ARE CONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private health care
Pension
4 day week
Bonuses based on performance
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Private dental
Share options
Extra holiday
Annual company events
Company funded certifications/qualifications
Gym membership
Conference budgets
Merchandise
Office games
Childcare vouchers
Mobile phone allowance
Employee assistance programme
Cycle to work scheme
Car allowance18.4%
14.4%
13.3%
9.0%
6.7%
6.3%
6.1%
7.8%
4.9%
2.5%
2.5%
2.1%
1.5%
0.9%
0.9%
0.6%
0.6%
0.4%
0.4%
0.3%
47% EXPECT TO BE
WORKING REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN 2025
91% ARE EXPECTING
TO WORK 1 OR MORE
DAYS REMOTELY PER WEEK IN 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

AVERAGE SALARY £46,418
UK
Ea ster
n Euro pe
W e
stern
Europe
N ort h Am
erica
AP
A C
MENA
£0
£20
£40
£60
£80
£48,790
£35,640 £40,524
£73,058
£30,124
£50,372
AVERAGE SALARY BY CONTINENT
Junior
Mid-
L e
vel
Senior
Princip al
Lead/Manager Dire c
to r
£0
£20
£40
£60
£80
£100 £120
£41,369
£50,997
£64,479
£77,275 £83,654
£115,913
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

£0 £20 £40 £60 £80
AI
Animation Engine
Gameplay
Generalist Graphics Server
Multiplayer NetworkPhysics Tools
UI £68,366
£72,003
£75,952
£65,519
£70,084
£71,719
£74,655
£69,913
£75,114
£65,334
£65,829
£65,488
AVERAGE SALARY BY TYPE
AVERAGE SALARY BY ENGINE
£0 £20,000 £40,000 £60,000 £80,000
Cocos2D-x
CryEngine Custom
Frostbite
HTML5
Lumberyard OtherUnity
Unreal £47,111
£48,649
£72,604
£72,660
£47,954
£58,800
£63,787
£61,946
£65,442
31% WOULD CONSIDER
MOVING TO A NEW ENGINE
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
<12 Months1-2 Years
3-4 Years
5-10 Years 10+ Years
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
AI
Animation
Engine
Gameplay
Generalist
Graphics
Multiplayer
NetworkPhysicsServer
Tools UI
JOB HUNTING BY AREA
JOB HUNTING BY TIME IN INDUSTRY
72% WILL BE OR ARE
CONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
45% WOULD
CONSIDER MOVING TO ANOTHER AREA OF GAMES
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private health care
Pension
4 day week
Bonuses based on performance
Private Dental
Share options
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Extra holiday
Conference budgets
Gym membership
Annual company events
Company funded certifications/qualifications
Merchandise
Employee assistance programme
Car allowance
Childcare vouchers
Office games
Mobile phone allowance
Cycle to work scheme18.2%
15.6%
9.5%
9.5%
8.1%
7.5%
6.5%
6.4%
5.5%
2.9%
1.7%
1.7%
1.7%
1.2%
0.9%
0.9%
0.8%
0.6%
0.3%
0.2%
55% EXPECT TO BE
WORKING REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN 2025
94% ARE EXPECTING
TO WORK 1 OR MORE
DAYS REMOTELY PER WEEK IN 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

AVERAGE SALARY £66,186
UK
Eas t
ern Europe
We stern Eu
rope
Nor th Am e
ri
ca
APAC MEN
A
£0
£20
£40
£60
£80
£100 £120
£58,796
£68,837
£50,875
£114,770
£31,988
£71,851
AVERAGE SALARY BY CONTINENT
Junior Mid-Level Senior Lead/Manager Principal
£0
£20
£40
£60
£80
£100
£47,959
£55,023 £59,120
£69,981
£86,220
AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

Augm
ente
d
Re a
lity
In teract
ive Inst
allations
Mixed Rea
li t
y
V irt
u a
l Real ity
£0
£20
£40
£60
£80
£74,121
£65,570
£69,419 £68,013
AVERAGE SALARY BY PLATFORM
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Augmented Reality
Interactive Installations
Mixed Reality
Virtual Reality
JOB HUNTING BY PLATFORM
JOB HUNTING BY TIME IN INDUSTRY
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
<12 Months
1-2 Years
3-4 Years
5-10 Years 10+ Years
78% WILL BE OR ARE CONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private health care
Pension
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Private dental care
Extra holiday
Share options
Gym membership
Company funded certifications/qualifications
Mobile phone allowance
Childcare
Car allowance 20.7%
14.8%
14.1%
10.7%
10.0%
7.8%
6.3%
5.3%
4.1%
3.5%
1.5%
1.2%
52% EXPECT TO BE
WORKING REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN 2025
94% ARE EXPECTING
TO WORK 1 OR MORE
DAYS REMOTELY PER WEEK IN 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

AVERAGE SALARY £74,091
UK
Eas te
rn Euro
pe
W est
er n
Euro
pe
No r
th Am er
ic
a
APAC
MEN
A
£0
£20,000
£40,000
£60,000
£80,000
£100,000 £120,000
£57,403
£44,796
£53,258
£100,901
£23,572
£37,003
AVERAGE SALARY BY CONTINENT
Junior
Mid-
L e
vel
Senio
r
Principal Lead/M anag
er
Director
£0
£20,000
£40,000
£60,000
£80,000
£100,000
£33,954
£43,507 £49,578
£68,310 £66,316
£96,890 AVERAGE SALARY BY SENIORITY
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

AVERAGE SALARY BY GENDER
Male Female Non-Binary
£0
£20,000
£40,000
£60,000
£80,000
£79,326
£61,476 £54,709
£
0
£20,000 £4 0
,0 0
0
£ 6 0
,0 0
0
£80, 0
00
£ 10
0 ,0
00
£1
Business Development C-Suite
Finance HRIT
Marketing
Other
Publishing
Talent Acquisition £75,563
£105,343
£98,923
£47,290
£42,745
£44,897
£41,225
£68,700
£45,788
AVERAGE SALARY BY AREA
© Skillsearch and
www.skillsearch.com, 2025
*This is global data and has been converted into GBP

Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Business DevelopmentC-Suite
Finance HR
IT
Marketing
Other
Publishing
Talent Acquisition
JOB HUNTING BY AREA
JOB HUNTING BY TIME IN INDUSTRY
Yes Maybe No
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
<12 Months
1-2 Years
3-4 Years
5-10 Years 10+ Years
65% WILL BE OR ARE CONSIDERING JOBHUNTING IN 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Flexible/remote working
Private health care
Pension
Bonuses based on performance
4 day week
Training (beyond basic role requirements)
Share options
Provate dental care
Extra holiday
Conference budgets
Company funded certications/qualifications
Annual company events
Gym membership
Mobile phone allowance
Childcare vouchers
Car allowance
Employee assistance programme
Office games
Merchandise
Cycle to work scheme 18.7%
16.9%
14.1%
9.0%
7.5%
6.2%
6.2%
4.8%
4.6%
2.3%
1.9%
1.6%
1.5%
1.1%
0.9%
0.9%
0.9%
0.5%
0.3%
0.1%
52% EXPECT TO BE
WORKING REMOTELY 5 DAYS PER WEEK IN 2025
94% ARE EXPECTING
TO WORK 1 OR MORE
DAYS REMOTELY PER WEEK IN 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Fully Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Not Sure
Somewhat Agree Fully Agree 8%
10% 27%
19% 36%
THE LEADERSHIP OF MY COMPANY ENCOURAGES & IS SUPPOR TIVE OF
EQUALITIY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (EDI)
MY COMPANY TAKES ACTIVE STEPS TO ENSURE A MORE DIVE RSE
CANDIDATE POOL WHEN HIRING
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Fully Disagree
Somewhat Disagree Not Sure
Somewhat Agree Fully Agree 12%
15% 38%
15%
20%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Fully Agree49%
Somewhat Agree20%Not Sure
19%
Somewhat Disagree
7%
MY COMPANY
CREATES A CULTURE
THAT ALLOWS STAFF TO BE THEMSELVESAT WORK WITHOUT FEAR
EMPLOYEES FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS ARE ENCOURAGED T O APPLY
FOR HIGHER POSITIONS IN MY COMPANY
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Fully Disagree
Somewhat Disagree Not Sure
Somewhat Agree
Fully Agree 8%
8% 37%
17% 29%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Fully Disagree
Somewhat Disagree Not Sure
Somewhat Agree Fully Agree 5% 10% 34%
15% 35%
“MY COMPANY ACTIVELY SUPPORTS WOMEN IN THE WORKPLAC E THROUGH
INCLUSIVE POLICIES”
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, RESPONDENTS EN VISAGE THAT
THEIR COMPANY’S COMMITMENT TO EDI IS LIKELY TO…
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Increase
Decrease
Stay Same
Don’t Know 21%
7% 61%
11%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FROM EMPLOYERS
E.G. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES, HEALTH INSURAN CE, 1-2-1’S, ETC.
HOW SUPPORTED RESPONDENTS FEEL AT THEIR CURRENT WOR KPLACE WITH
REGARDS TO MENTAL HEALTH
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
No support
A little support
Adequate support A lot of support Full support 16%
20% 31%
19%
14%
Not important to me at all
Somewhat important to me
Neutral
Somewhat important to me
Very important to me/crucial for my happiness in a job 6%
7%9%
37%
41%
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Yes – Paid Overtime
Yes – Unpaid Overtime Both
No 14%
47%
21%
18%
Yes No Prefer Not To Say
0%
10%
20%
30% 40%
50% 60%
43%
51%
6%
HAVE YOU, IN YOUR CAREER IN THE GAMES INDUSTRY, EXP
ERIENCED CRUNCH?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Yes
No
Prefer Not To Say 41%
55%
4%
HAVE YOU SUFFERED WITH POOR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE LA ST YEAR?
IF YES – HAVE YOU HAD A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS?
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com, 2025

New
Games
New Te
ch
M ar
ke t
in
g
St udio
Sp ace
Eve
nts
R e
cr ui
tm en
t
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
42% 16% 15%
4%
5%
12%
STUDIO PRIORITIES FOR 2025
TOP 3 OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDIOS
DEVELOPING NEW
GAMING TECH THE RISE OF USER-
GENERATED CONTENT THE GROWTH OF
MOBILE GAMING
TOP 3 CHALLENGES FOR STUDIOS
BUDGET
CONSTRAINTS MARKET
OVERSATURATION DEVELOPING
INNOVATIVE GAMES
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

42% OF RESPONDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN THEHIRING PROCESS
CURRENT PRIORITIES WHEN HIRING FOR NEW ROLES
Securing candidates with the required skills and experienc e
Attracting top talent with relevant technical skills and experie nce
Hiring for cultural fit
Ensuring long-term retention and growth potential
Building a talent pipeline for future needs
Increasing diversity and inclusion
Filling roles in high-demand areas or critical skill shortages
Attracting leadership potential
Minimising time-to-hire
Ensuring compliance with regulations
Other
123456789
10
11
68% STATE THAT THEIR STUDIO WAS
HIRING IN 2024
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

TOP CHALLENGES FACED DURING THE HIRING PROCESS
Finding candidates with the right technical skills or experience
Ensuring candidates align with company culture and values
Attracting a diverse range of applicants
Limited availability of local talent or relocation challenges
High competition for talent in the industry
Managing time and resources effectively during recruitmen t
Lack of internal tools, data or resources
Keeping candidates engaged throughout the process
Salary expectations
LENGTH OF HIRING PROCESS FROM APPLICATION TO OFFER
<1 Week 1-2 Weeks 2-4 Weeks 1-2 Months 2-4 Months 4+ Months
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
1% 11% 38% 32% 13%
3%
1 23456789
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

CHALLENGES WHEN MEETING EDI GOALS
THOSE INVOLVED IN HIRING SAY EDI IS MODERATELYIMPORTANT WHEN MAKING A NEW HIRE
Limited diversity in the candidate pool
Difficulty attracting candidates from underrepresented g roups
Bias in hiring processes or decision-making
Lack of leadership buy-in or prioritisation of EDI
Competition with other companies for diverse talent
Lack of tools or data to track &measure progress
Resistance to change within the organisation 38%
23%
10%9%
7%
6%5%
Very Effective Effective Moderately Effective
Somewhat Effective Not Effective
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
EFFECTIVENESS OF CURRENT HIRING PROCESS
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com
, 2025

Q2
39%
Q3
30% Q1
18%
Q4
13%
GROWTH ANTICIPATED IN…
Decline No Growth <5% 5-10% 11-20% 21-30% Over 30%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
6% 9% 19% 23% 11% 3% 5%
ANTICIPATED STUDIO
GROWTH FOR 2025
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025

Thank you to all those that took part in this years survey! We love seeing
how much it evolves year-on-year and we couldn9t do this withou t your
support.
Giving back is very important to us, so in order to thank those who filled out
the survey…
This year, we once again supported our charity partners
SpecialEffect, who
8transform the lives of people with physical challenges right acros s the
world through the innovative use of technology9.
As well as
Ecologi , who are 8working to bring the best in climate action, trust
and service.9
£450 500
Finally, a BIG thank you to UKIE and Safe In Our World for their involvement.
Thanks to their collaboration, this year we were able to bring yo u the
following insights…
EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) – on behalf of UKIE
Mental Health – on behalf of Safe In Our World
© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025
DONATED TO TREES PLANTED WITH

As much as we’d love to, we can’t squeeze every piece of data we collect
into our survey report. So, if you have any burning questions or would like to
know more aboout a specific area, piece of data or sample size – please do
get in touch through our survey feedback form and we will get ba ck to you
as soon as possible.
Similarly, if you have any suggestions for next years survey – please also
use the form to let us know!
SURVEY FEEDBACK FORM
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industry news, tips, opportunities and updates.
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© Skillsearch and www.skillsearch.com , 2025