Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly begun cutting staff positions. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, a trend that was highlighted in a recent article by Game Developer.
The first public indication of the reductions came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted on LinkedIn that the company experienced its inaugural round of layoffs on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go and emphasized that the decision was not tied to any personal performance issues. "This isn’t a result of any individual actions. Our industry (and beyond) right now is bleeding heavily," the manager wrote, underscoring the broader market pressures affecting game developers worldwide.
The marketing department also felt the impact. Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, confirmed that members of his team were part of the cut and went on to name four specific individuals who were affected.
Further details emerged when the studio’s senior public relations manager shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions, painting a clearer picture of the scope of the layoffs. Based on the collective LinkedIn posts, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been let go. This figure represents a noticeable portion of the company’s workforce, which according to the firm’s LinkedIn profile, ranges between 51 and 200 staff members. The public relations manager expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt message: "I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years.
But I’m walking away proud of what I accomplished during my time with the company, and I’m grateful for the people I got to build with." The timing of these layoffs is particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken against job cuts. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. He stated, "At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk.
We’ll put cash at risk when we make a game, but we don’t put jobs at risk. Even if our own IP brings in zero dollars, we still haven’t put any jobs at risk – we still have a path forward where we’ll be able to keep people on. So, in a lot of ways, it’s a choice." Schell’s comments reflected a broader industry conversation about sustainable development practices, especially as many studios grapple with volatile revenue streams, rising production costs, and shifting consumer preferences.
The gaming sector has been described as "hemorrhaging" in recent months, with several mid‑size developers announcing reductions, studio closures, or restructuring efforts to stay afloat. While GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the recent layoffs, the company has not yet responded publicly. Observers note that the discrepancy between Schell’s earlier statements and the current reality may be indicative of the unprecedented financial pressures that even well‑managed studios now face. The pandemic‑driven boom in gaming revenue has begun to level off, and many publishers are tightening budgets, which in turn forces development houses to reassess staffing levels.
Industry analysts suggest that the layoffs at Schell Games could be part of a larger trend of consolidation and cost‑cutting across the sector. As larger publishers prioritize high‑margin franchises and invest heavily in live‑service models, smaller studios that specialize in niche or experimental titles may find it harder to secure steady funding. This environment often leads to a "survival mode" mindset, where studios must make difficult personnel decisions to preserve cash flow and keep core projects on track.
For the employees who were let go, the transition may involve navigating severance packages, unemployment benefits, and the search for new opportunities in a competitive job market. Many of the affected staff members have expressed gratitude for the experience and camaraderie they shared at Schell Games, highlighting the studio’s collaborative culture and the creative freedom they enjoyed while working on titles like I Expect You to Die. Looking ahead, Schell Games has not disclosed whether the layoffs will be isolated to this round or if further reductions are anticipated. The company’s leadership will likely need to balance the immediate need to reduce operating costs with the longer‑term goal of maintaining a talented, innovative team capable of delivering the high‑quality experiences that have defined the studio’s brand.
In summary, Schell Games’ recent workforce reductions illustrate the harsh reality that even studios with strong creative pedigrees are not immune to the current economic headwinds affecting the gaming industry. While the company’s founder has historically championed a philosophy of protecting jobs, the recent cuts underscore how market dynamics can force even the most well‑intentioned strategies to adapt. The situation remains fluid, and stakeholders will be watching closely for any further updates from Schell Games regarding its operational outlook and future hiring plans.