Game developer employment status worldwide 2015-2023

Published by
Jessica Clement,
May 17, 2024
A 2023 survey of global game developers found that 71 percent of responding developers were either part- or full-time permanent employees. A further 13 percent of respondents stated that they were self-employed.

Employment status among game developers worldwide from 2015 to 2023

CharacteristicEmployee (permanent full- or part-time)Employee (temporary full- or part-time)Self-employedIndependent contractor or freelancer
2023 71% 3% 13% 13%
2021 67% 5% 14% 13%
2019 71% 3% 15% 11%
2017 70% 3% 19% 8%
2016 66% 5% 19% 10%
2015 65% 4% 19% 12%
Showing entries 1 to 6 (6 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of respondents65%65%66%66%70%70%71%71%67%67%71%71%4%4%5%5%3%3%3%3%5%5%3%3%19%19%19%19%19%19%15%15%14%14%13%13%12%12%10%10%8%8%11%11%13%13%13%13%Employee (permanent full- or part-time)Employee (temporary full- or part-time)Self-employedIndependent contractor or freelancer201520162017201920212023
0%25%50%75%100%125%

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Release date

May 2024

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2015 to 2023

Number of respondents

777 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

* 2015 n = 2,928; 2016 n = 1,189; 2017 n = 963; 2019 n = 1,116; 2021 n=803; 2023 n = 777
Figures for periods other than 2021 come from previous reporting.

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