Devcom Survey Reveals Industry Anxiety Over AI and Economy, Adds Mario Kart Showdown to Keynote Stage
With the devcom developer conference now less than two weeks away, the organizers have dropped some fresh program highlights and, more interestingly, the results of this year's speaker survey. The survey, which polled 100 of the event's speakers, serves as a fascinating vibe check for a games industry that is still reeling from years of turmoil, grappling with an uncertain future, and apparently, very divided on the topic of AI.
An Industry on Edge
The survey results paint a picture of a developer community that is cautiously navigating a treacherous landscape. The anonymous responses provide a candid look at the biggest anxieties and trends shaping the future of game development.
The Usual Suspects: Money and Saturation
Unsurprisingly, the top concerns plaguing developers are economic and existential. 56 of the 100 speakers cited “economic and political uncertainty” as the biggest challenge currently impacting development, followed closely by market saturation (53 votes) and rising development costs (44 votes). After the bloodbath of layoffs and studio closures we've witnessed over the last couple of years, it's clear these aren't just abstract fears; they are the grim reality that developers are living and working in every day.
The Great AI Divide
The survey also highlights the deep and ongoing schism within the developer community regarding the role of artificial intelligence. A significant 33% of respondents stated they would like to see as little AI involvement in the development process as possible. For those who are open to it, the most valuable applications were seen in code and production (32%) and art and animation (11%). The data confirms what we've seen in online discourse: there is no consensus on AI, with a large portion of creators remaining deeply skeptical of its role in their craft.
New Faces on the Big Stage
While the survey hints at a serious and anxious mood, devcom is balancing it out with some new, more interactive additions to its keynote stage program that lean into the fun and chaotic side of gaming culture.
From YouTube Skits to Indie Hits
In a session titled "Viva La Game Dev: How a YouTube Empire Became Indie Game Gold," the creators of the massively popular comedy group Viva La Dirt League will take the stage. The panel will feature the team discussing their journey from making viral videos for their 7+ million YouTube subscribers to becoming indie developers with their surprisingly wholesome fishing sim, Nice Day for Fishing.
Think You're Fast? Prove It
In what might be the most entertaining session of the conference, devcom is hosting "Mario Kart World: Beat the Pros". This is a live challenge where audience members will get the chance to race against professional
Mario Kart players on the big stage. Any attendee who can beat both pros back-to-back will walk away with a free ticket to devcom 2026 and, more importantly, some serious bragging rights.
The latest announcement from devcom paints an interesting picture. The survey results confirm that the industry is still in a period of anxious introspection, grappling with massive economic and technological shifts. At the same time, the conference is making room for the new faces of game development, from YouTube stars to pro players, reminding everyone that despite the serious challenges, the spirit of fun and community is still at the heart of it all.