Ahead of gamescom, the developer conference 'devcom' in Cologne has released the results of a survey polling their speakers on the industry's key issues. The survey included questions on AI utilization, with 33% of respondents stating they would prefer to see its usage kept to a minimum.

devcom released these findings on the 5th, gathering insights from 100 of their featured speakers. When asked to identify the most effective application of AI in game development, 33% opted for minimal intervention. Following that, 32% pointed to coding and production, 11% to art and animation, 9% to marketing and communication, and 3% to narrative design.

The survey also covered other topics. When asked about the dominant business models of the future, 27% of respondents favored digital/packaged games, while 20% leaned toward paid subscriptions and 18% pointed to free-to-play. Within the digital versus physical debate, digital remains the clear favorite, accounting for 59% of the preference over physical packages.

As for platform exclusivity, nearly everyone—save for 6%—expects the era of strict platform locking to fade, predicting either a decline in exclusives or a shift toward timed exclusivity. On the cloud gaming front, 46% believe major platform holders will pivot toward cloud and digital-first services, while 45% remain convinced that the traditional PC and console dominance will persist.

Finally, when asked about the most daunting challenges facing the industry, economic and political instability topped the list at 56%. Market saturation followed at 53%, and rising development costs sat at 44%. Rising US tariffs, combined with the difficulty of breaking through a saturated market and ballooning production budgets, have left the industry reeling from a wave of mass layoffs.

Meanwhile, devcom is set to take place in Cologne, Germany, from August 17th to the 19th. The event will feature a variety of sessions, including narrative design for Helldivers 2, behind-the-scenes looks at the development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and the first-person interaction mechanics of Indiana Jones: The Great Circle, with many industry professionals on hand to share their expertise.