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[cormack12]

Source: https://gdconf.com/news/gdc-2024-st...edit_gdcsf_gdcsf_le_x_17_x_2024&kcode=BLG_GDC

I picked out the most interesting slides but you can add more to the thread by slicing them out the full pdf here

We asked over 3,000 game developers about their work and the industry. We found they’re implementingmore accessibility options into their games, they’re growing frustrated with social media, and they’redivided on mandatory return-to-office policies.

 

[AV]

I'll forgive them if it's because they're stuck doing fucking Jira in the remaining hours.

 

[ManaByte]

Before the drama begins over physical/digital, a lot of devs saw what Larian was able to do without having to rely on a massive cut to a publisher to get a physical game on shelves and want that for themselves.

 

[Kenneth Haight]

I'll forgive them if it's because they're stuck doing fucking Jira in the remaining hours.

 

[Three]

I'll forgive them if it's because they're stuck doing fucking Jira in the remaining hours.

 

[AlphaDump]

Does that mean they aren't salaried if under 40 hrs?

 

[Three]

Before the drama begins over physical/digital, a lot of devs saw what Larian was able to do without having to rely on a massive cut to a publisher to get a physical game on shelves and want that for themselves.

Larian released physical copies though. Nothing to do with 'cut to publishers'.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Does that mean they aren't salaried if under 40 hrs?

You have a lot of people who are contractors and part time employees.

 

[Draugoth]

I returned to office recently and i can relate.

 

[ReBurn]

Jason S was successful at ending crunch

 

[Loomy]

Does that mean they aren't salaried if under 40 hrs?

Most likely, yeah. But it looks like 40% of people are working between 30 and 40 hours per week, and that makes sense. The fact that most people are between 3 and 10 also makes sense. A lot of these studios hired a lot over that last 3 years, and a lot of those developers were working at other tech companies.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

First thing GDC has to is get someone to make effective charts. The answer should be beside the bar, not under it.

Never the less, it looks like most people work less than 40 hours per week with a bunch even under 30(?). They must have a lot of PT workers or FT people with nothing to do. I thought game makers are all crunching and sleeping in their cubicle? lol

 

[Xtib81]

Interesting data.
So, who are those workers who work more than 80hrs a week?

 

[mckmas8808]

You have a lot of people who are contractors and part time employees.

This is true.

 

[mckmas8808]

First thing GDC has to is get someone to make effective charts. The answer should be beside the bar, not under it.

Never the less, it looks like most people work less than 40 hours per week with a bunch even under 30(?). They must have a lot of PT workers or FT people with nothing to do. I thought game makers are all crunching and sleeping in their cubicle? lol

Some of those people probably work on the business\marketing side though.

 

[kruis]

"The majority of devs are working less than 40 hours in the week" ... That sounds surprising. My guess is that a very large number of the people who filled in the questionnaire are really hobbyists or part-time indie developers, not professionals working in a studio or for a major company.

You can tell by the percentage of people working on PC (66%) compared to PS5 (35%). The barrier of entry to become a PS5 developer is high, while there's none for PC.

 

[kiphalfton]

Before the drama begins over physical/digital, a lot of devs saw what Larian was able to do without having to rely on a massive cut to a publisher to get a physical game on shelves and want that for themselves.

I'm sure they will.

Unfortunately a lot of devs are delusional though too, and think they too can be like Larian (without looking at and understanding why Larian was ultimately successful).

 

[adamsapple]

I'll forgive them if it's because they're stuck doing fucking Jira in the remaining hours.

Hey, I use Jira

 

[Three]

"The majority of devs are working less than 40 hours in the week" ... That sounds surprising. My guess is that a very large number of the people who filled in the questionnaire are really hobbyists or part-time indie developers, not professionals working in a studio or for a major company.

You can tell by the percentage of people working on PC (66%) compared to PS5 (35%). The barrier of entry to become a PS5 developer is high, while there's none for PC.

I think it's more telling that Unity was the top engine in the poll. I would say attendees are a mixture of both but the ones working for a major AAA studio are the minority.

 

[Mr.Phoenix]

There is a job role percentage there that is a direct correlation with why most modern games are buggy AF. It's not even in the double digits.

 

[HL3.exe]

That top slide is depressing and indicative of an industry that can't maintain its veteran talent, and therefore losing experienced devs with knowledge.

Brain-drain is a problem, instead they opt for fresh young devs, just graduated without any real-world work experience. This cycle is fucked, needing to reinvent the wheel over and over again. Rather unhealthy for solving decade old design and tech problems in the industry, rather then pushing boundary with experienced devs.

 

[Desless1]

That top slide is depressing and indicative of an industry that can't maintain its veteran talent, and therefore losing experienced devs with knowledge.

Brain-drain is a problem, instead they opt for fresh young devs, just graduated without any real-world work experience. This cycle is fucked, needing to reinvent the wheel over and over again. Rather unhealthy for solving decade old design and tech problems in the industry, rather then pushing boundary with experienced devs.

Yes, that is quite intereseting. At the same time its nice to see the business attract new talent. They are in there somewhere. Still, the mix between veterans and new ones are still good.

Do we know where the veterans goes when they leave? Type of businesses?

 

[HL3.exe]

Yes, that is quite intereseting. At the same time its nice to see the business attract new talent. They are in there somewhere. Still, the mix between veterans and new ones are still good.

Do we know where the veterans goes when they leave? Type of businesses?

From what I've heard, they transfer into another tech jobs with better pay or has better protections. But I've heard this a few years ago.

Game dev burnout is a real thing. That's why crunch mitigation should be a thing in all companies, stress does not make a better project, it only creates rushed/hacked together products.