For the tenth time, Values Value and IngameJob launch their Games Industry Employment survey, this time in cooperation with Mellow. In the past, the survey has produced valuable data on salaries and employment status in the industry.
Values Value and InGame Job have launched the 10th edition of their Games Industry Employment Survey. Game workers from around the world can participate anonymously and send in answers on their state of work, salaries, AI adoption and many more.
Notably, the survey results are mostly focused on the European continent and the MENA region. We have covered recent results extensively, especially with regards to salary data, for their annual big reveal around gamescom dev.
The Big Games Industry Employment Survey 2026 asks about:
This year, both agencies have partnered with hiring platform Mellow, as well as with Scorewarrior and Tribe and networking and media partners gamescom dev, DevGAMM, Hivemind, Games Gathering, GDBAY, and Global Game Jam.
The survey will remain open until 1 June 2026.
The first insights from the research will be presented in August 2026 at gamescom dev, while the full report will be published in November 2026 on the InGame Job platform and Values Value website for free.
Tanja Loktionova, Founder at Values Value and Co-Founder at InGame Job: “Ten editions in, and the question that drives us hasn't changed: what is actually happening in this industry, beyond the headlines? A decade of data doesn't just tell you where the industry has been — it tells you what the signals mean. We built this survey because the games labor market deserves rigorous, independent research and a shared, honest reference point for salaries, hiring dynamics, and working conditions. Right now, when AI adoption, layoffs, and career mobility are all in flux, that picture matters more than ever. Every response makes it sharper.”
Alexander Norovyatkin, Head of Growth & Brand, Mellow: “For us, this is a natural partnership. Mellow already works with over 200 game studios worldwide, and our mission has always been to help companies engage talent across borders. The Big Games Industry Employment Survey has spent a decade tracking how the industry actually works — and that's worth supporting. We're glad to be part of this milestone.”
