More game developers are using generative AI than they did last year

A photo from the GDC Festival of Gaming 2026 event.
Publisher Open Graph preview · The Verge ↗
THE TLDR

The short version

The use of generative AI among game developers has increased significantly compared to last year, especially among free-to-play and mobile studios.

Key takeaways

  • Generative AI adoption rose from 36% in 2025.
  • Higher usage noted in free-to-play game developers.
  • Mobile-only studios are particularly embracing generative AI.

Overall sentiment

Positive

The article highlights growth and innovation in game development using AI.

AI classification of the article’s tone. Coverage is limited to metadata, without full article content.

Sources cited by the article

These references were linked or listed by the publisher, then selected for relevance. They are distinct from our original-source citation.