Schell Games, the development 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 a round of employee layoffs. The news emerged after several staff members posted about the cuts on LinkedIn, a development that was first highlighted in a report by Game Developer. One of the most striking posts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who announced that Schell Games experienced its inaugural layoff event on a Friday. The manager emphasized that the reductions were not a reflection of personal performance, stating, "This isn’t a result of any individual actions.
Our sector is currently bleeding profusely," and added that the broader industry—and even markets beyond gaming—were facing a severe downturn. The marketing department was also directly impacted. Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, confirmed that members of his team were among those let go and proceeded to name four individuals who were affected.
In a separate LinkedIn update, the senior public relations manager listed additional colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions who were part of the downsizing. By tallying the publicly shared names and comments, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by the layoffs. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the studio’s total headcount as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, suggesting that the cuts represent a meaningful percentage of the workforce.
One of the departing public‑relations staff members expressed mixed emotions in a heartfelt message. "I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years," the manager 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." The sentiment captures both the sorrow of an unexpected exit and the pride in contributions made over a substantial tenure. The layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public position taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken out against job cuts.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to 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 remarks suggested a commitment to preserving staff even when projects fail to generate revenue, implying that the studio would rather absorb financial losses than lay off employees. The current round of reductions, therefore, raises questions about the pressures the company is facing and whether the economic environment has shifted to a point where even a firm with a strong anti‑layoff stance must reconsider its approach. Industry analysts point out that the broader gaming market has been experiencing a contraction, with several high‑profile studios announcing similar workforce reductions over the past year.
Factors such as rising development costs, a slowdown in consumer spending, and increased competition from both traditional publishers and emerging indie developers have contributed to a climate of uncertainty. In this context, even studios that have historically prioritized employee stability may find themselves forced to make difficult decisions. The impact of the layoffs extends beyond the individuals directly affected.
Colleagues who remain at Schell Games may experience heightened workloads as they absorb the responsibilities of former teammates, potentially leading to morale challenges and concerns about the studio’s long‑term direction. Moreover, the public nature of the announcements—particularly the candid language used by departing staff—highlights a growing trend of transparency in the industry, where employees feel empowered to share their experiences on professional networking platforms. While GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the situation, a response has not yet been received.
The lack of an immediate statement from the company leaves room for speculation about the internal decision‑making process and whether the layoffs are a one‑time adjustment or the beginning of a larger restructuring effort. For now, the focus remains on supporting those who have been let go and on navigating the aftermath within the studio.
The affected employees have expressed gratitude for the opportunities they received and optimism about future prospects, while the remaining team members are tasked with maintaining the studio’s creative output amid a challenging market landscape. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Schell Games’ experience serves as a reminder that even companies with strong ethical commitments to their workforce can be vulnerable to external economic pressures.