adminThe latest estimate for 2026 game industry layoffs points to 14,259 job losses by the end of the year—78% above the first forecast published in January. The figures come from the ASGC Games Industry Layoffs Tracker, which is maintained by Tencent Games business development director Amir Satvat. The tracker’s changing projections highlight how quickly the outlook has shifted during the year.
Image credit: Luke Chesser via Unsplash
2026 game industry layoffs forecast rises to 14,259
ASGC initially projected 8,025 layoffs for 2026. That estimate had increased to 9,781 by the tracker’s July 26 update. The latest year-end projection is higher still, at 14,259, indicating a substantial change from the January outlook.
Satvat said the pace of job cuts was increasing faster than the tracker’s initial models anticipated. These figures are estimates rather than a final count, so the projection may change as additional announcements are reported. When comparing updates, check both the date and whether a number refers to confirmed layoffs or a forecast.
Recent cuts added to the projection
A July 10 estimate put the projected total at 13,878. The subsequent rise of 381 included reported reductions at several studios: 32 at ZA/UM, 20 at 11 Bit Studios, 51 at Ubisoft Barcelona and 22 at Red Rover Interactive, among others.
Image credit: ASGC Games Industry Layoffs Tracker
The July 10 update came after a major round of Xbox layoffs affecting 1,600 employees across Obsidian, Bethesda, id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios. These reported cuts form part of a wider pattern of announced job losses across the games sector, but individual studio figures should be read in the context of the tracker’s update dates.
Where the reported layoffs are concentrated
According to the tracker, North America accounts for 66% of layoffs and 79% of affected workers. The United States represents 48%, while Canada accounts for 17%. Europe makes up 30%. Together, North America and Europe represent 95% of all layoffs in the reported breakdown.
For readers comparing regional figures, it is useful to retain the tracker’s stated categories and percentages rather than combine them independently. The figures describe the tracker’s reporting and may be revised as new information becomes available.
How the 2026 estimate compares with previous years
The current projection would put 2026 above the estimated 15,631 layoffs recorded in 2024, while the total declined to 9,197 last year. Across five years, projected job losses are expected to approach 60,000.
There is still uncertainty around the timing of Microsoft’s remaining 1,600 planned cuts. Satvat noted that some could fall in the second half of fiscal year 2027, which takes place during calendar year 2027. For now, the tracker assumes all of those cuts will occur in 2026, with the estimate subject to revision as clearer information emerges.
What the forecast means
The 14,259 figure is a forward-looking estimate, not a confirmed final total. Its increase from the January projection shows why dated updates matter when following the 2026 game industry layoffs. Readers should check the tracker’s latest release for revised totals and treat the year-end figure as provisional until the reporting period is complete.
