Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly begun a round of employee layoffs. The news emerged after a Game Developer article highlighted a series of LinkedIn updates posted by members of the company’s workforce, indicating that the downsizing started on a Friday earlier this week.
One of the first posts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today," noting that they themselves were not among those whose positions were terminated. The manager added a poignant comment about the broader context: "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The phrase captures the sense of a market-wide contraction that is affecting many developers, not just this particular studio.
The layoffs were further confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr., who disclosed that members of the marketing department were among those let go. He went on to name four individuals who were directly impacted. In addition, the studio’s senior public relations manager posted a separate update that listed several colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also affected by the cuts. From the information gathered in these posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been separated from Schell Games as part of this round of reductions.
The company’s own LinkedIn page lists its workforce size as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members, meaning that the layoffs represent a noticeable, though not catastrophic, proportion of the overall team. One of the affected employees, the senior 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." This sentiment reflects a common theme among tech and game‑development layoffs, where long‑standing staff members often feel a deep personal connection to the projects they helped create, even as they must now seek new opportunities. The timing of these layoffs is especially striking given the public stance that Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has taken on the issue of job security.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized that the studio separates financial risk from the risk to its employees. 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 a philosophy of protecting staff even in the face of uncertain revenue streams, a principle that resonated with many in the industry who are weary of the frequent rounds of downsizing that have become commonplace in recent years.
However, the recent cuts at Schell Games appear to contradict that earlier commitment, prompting questions about whether external market pressures have finally forced a shift in strategy. The broader gaming industry has indeed been experiencing a period of volatility. After a boom of rapid growth and investment in the early 2020s, many publishers and developers have begun to feel the effects of a tightening economic environment, rising development costs, and shifting consumer preferences toward subscription services and live‑ops models. These trends have led to a "hemorrhaging" effect, as the LinkedIn post put it, where studios of all sizes are forced to reassess staffing levels, project scopes, and even entire business models.
For Schell Games, the impact of these macro‑economic forces may be compounded by the nature of its product portfolio. While the studio has enjoyed success with titles like I Expect You to Die—a puzzle‑action series that blends immersive storytelling with VR technology—and the collaborative multiplayer experience Among Us 3D, the revenue generated by such niche, often platform‑specific games can be unpredictable.
The company also faces competition from larger studios with deeper pockets and from indie developers who can produce high‑quality experiences with leaner teams. Industry analysts suggest that the decision to lay off staff, even a relatively small number, can be a strategic move to preserve cash flow and maintain a sustainable runway for future projects. By reducing overhead, Schell Games may be positioning itself to weather the current downturn, invest in new IP, or perhaps pivot toward more service‑oriented titles that promise recurring revenue.
It may also be a pre‑emptive step to avoid larger, more painful reductions later in the year if market conditions continue to deteriorate. The reaction from the gaming community has been one of empathy and concern.
Many fans of Schell Games’ work have taken to social media to express gratitude for the studio’s contributions to innovative gameplay and to wish the affected employees well in their future endeavors. Some commentators have also called attention to the need for more robust safety nets within the industry, such as better severance packages, continued health benefits, and support for transitioning workers into new roles.
As of now, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and on how the company plans to align its staffing strategy with its long‑standing public commitments to employee security. The studio has not yet responded publicly, leaving the community to speculate on whether this round of cuts will be an isolated event or the first sign of a larger restructuring effort.
In summary, Schell Games—once heralded for its commitment to protecting jobs while taking financial risks on game development—has announced its first ever staff reductions, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across marketing, art, design, and visual effects. The move reflects the broader challenges facing the gaming sector, where even studios with a reputation for stability must adapt to a rapidly changing economic landscape.
While the layoffs mark a sobering moment for those directly involved, the company’s future direction remains uncertain, and observers will be watching closely to see how Schell Games balances its creative ambitions with the fiscal realities of today’s market.