Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs affecting several of its employees. The news surfaced after Game Developer magazine cited a collection of LinkedIn updates posted by members of the Schell Games team.
These posts detailed that the layoff process began on a Friday and appeared to be the first such reduction in the company's history. One of the most prominent messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, “Schell Games had its first ever layoffs today.” 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 has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," the post read, underscoring a broader market downturn that is affecting many developers across the sector. The marketing department also confirmed the cuts. Marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr.
posted that members of his team were among those affected and went on to name four individuals who would be departing the company. In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager shared further details, identifying several colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions who would be leaving. From the information gathered in these public statements, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs. Schell Games lists its workforce size on its LinkedIn company page as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, which suggests that the reductions represent a modest but still significant percentage of the overall headcount.
The senior public‑relations manager expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective post. "I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years," they wrote. "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." This sentiment captures the bittersweet nature of many industry layoffs, where long‑term contributors must part ways despite personal dedication and achievement.
The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has historically spoken out against the practice of cutting jobs as a cost‑saving measure. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods.
He explained, "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 suggested that the studio would absorb financial setbacks rather than resort to workforce reductions, positioning the company as an outlier in an industry where layoffs have become increasingly common due to fluctuating revenue streams, rising development costs, and shifting consumer preferences.
The recent cuts therefore raise questions about the pressures that may have forced the studio to deviate from its previously stated policy. Industry analysts point to several macro‑economic factors that could be contributing to this shift. The video‑game market has experienced a slowdown after years of double‑digit growth, with consumer spending tightening amid broader economic uncertainty.
Additionally, the rise of live‑service models and the need for ongoing content updates have altered the financial calculus for many mid‑size developers, who must balance the costs of maintaining a live game against the revenue it generates. For Schell Games, the timing of the layoffs coincides with a period of transition in its project pipeline. While the studio has enjoyed success with titles that blend immersive storytelling and innovative gameplay mechanics, the development of new intellectual property often requires substantial upfront investment.
If projected revenues from upcoming releases fall short of expectations, the company may find its cash reserves strained, prompting difficult staffing decisions. The response from the broader development community has been one of empathy and concern. Colleagues from other studios have reached out to the affected employees, offering support and, in some cases, opportunities for freelance or full‑time work. This network of solidarity reflects a growing trend in the industry where professionals rally around peers facing layoffs, recognizing that talent and experience are valuable assets that should be retained within the ecosystem.
While Schell Games has not yet issued an official statement beyond the individual LinkedIn posts, GamesIndustry.biz has indicated that it has reached out to the studio for comment. Observers will be watching closely to see whether the company will provide further clarification on its financial health, future hiring plans, or any strategic pivots that might mitigate the need for additional reductions. In the meantime, the laid‑off staff members are likely to leverage their experience at Schell Games—particularly their work on high‑profile projects like Among Us 3D and the I Expect You to Die series—to secure new positions within the gaming sector or related creative fields. Their portfolios showcase a blend of technical expertise, narrative design, and visual artistry that remains in high demand across a variety of interactive media companies.
The situation at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges confronting mid‑size game developers today. Balancing creative ambition with fiscal responsibility, maintaining a stable workforce while navigating volatile market conditions, and staying true to publicly stated values in the face of economic pressure are all complex issues that many studios must grapple with. As the industry continues to evolve, the hope among many observers is that companies will find sustainable models that protect both their creative output and the livelihoods of the talented individuals who bring games to life.
For now, the focus remains on supporting those who have been let go, ensuring they receive the resources and opportunities needed to transition to the next chapter of their careers.