Tencent’s Business Development Director Shares Data on Job Cuts

After a record pace of layoffs, the game industry is facing a profound employment reset in 2025, and Tencent business development director Amir Satvat has become one of its chief data trackers and advocates for job seekers. This year, Satvat warns that while dire headlines focus on North America, where game development talent is facing the risk of job cuts.

Satvat revealed in an interview with The Game Business that North America, especially California AAA studios, has borne the brunt of industry cuts, with over 70% of layoffs centered there some years. More than half of the total global job reductions are hitting California alone. Meanwhile, the percentage of open positions in North America has slid from more than 30% to 25% of the global market. On the flip side, regions like Asia are experiencing solid growth in hiring. 

The statistics for getting hired remain sobering: new entrants with under three years of experience have just 5–7% odds of success, while industry veterans fare slightly better at 30–35%. Those over 50 see chances drop back to 5–7%. Engineering and programming jobs are the most accessible, with game design and writing roles far tougher to land. Despite the negativity, Satvat argued the industry overall is growing. Indie games are more dominant on review charts, self-publishing is easier and more open, and co-development offers new possibilities for mid-tier studios. Still, over 85% of game job seekers may need to pursue adjacent fields for a period to stay employed.

Artificial intelligence looms as both a threat and an opportunity. Satvat sees companies increasingly using AI, moving development offshore, and shrinking team sizes in explicitly AI-centered roles. His pragmatic view: learning AI tools is vital for employability, though it’s understandable that some in the community resist.

He pointed out that Japanese companies like Nintendo offer the industry a model for staff retention and management, thanks to equitable pay scales, management solidarity during downturns, and business values rooted in tradition and empathy. While no system is perfect, Satvat argues these practices offer lessons for Western studios going forward. The overall message for 2025 from Tencent’s business development director is that the games industry remains tough, but opportunities exist for those willing to adapt.