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 undertaken a round of staff reductions. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer magazine. According to the publication, the first public signs of the cuts appeared on a Friday when multiple members of the team shared updates on their professional networks.
One of those posts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, “Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today.” The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and added a note of empathy for their colleagues: “This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging.” The marketing division was also directly affected. Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, confirmed that members of his team were part of the reduction and even listed four individuals whose positions were eliminated. In a separate LinkedIn update, the senior public relations manager disclosed additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, indicating that the impact spanned several functional areas within the studio.
From the information gathered in these posts, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs. Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the company’s size as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, which suggests that the cuts represent a small but still significant percentage of the overall workforce.
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,” 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.” The sentiment underscores the personal toll that such corporate decisions can have on long‑standing team members.
The layoffs are particularly noteworthy because they run counter to the public position taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has historically spoken out against job cuts. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized 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.” Despite those assurances, the current economic climate appears to have forced the studio’s hand.
The broader video‑game industry has been experiencing a period of financial strain, with many publishers and developers reporting reduced revenues, delayed releases, and a slowdown in consumer spending. Analysts have described the situation as a "hemorrhaging" of resources, a phrase echoed in the engineering manager’s LinkedIn post. Factors contributing to this downturn include rising development costs, increased competition from live‑service titles, and macro‑economic pressures such as inflation and shifting discretionary budgets among gamers.
For Schell Games, a mid‑size studio that has built a reputation for innovative, narrative‑driven experiences, the decision to cut staff may also reflect strategic realignments. The company’s portfolio includes both original intellectual property and contract work for larger publishers, meaning its revenue streams can be volatile.
When a major contract ends or a planned title is delayed, cash flow can tighten quickly, prompting leadership to reassess staffing levels. Industry observers note that while layoffs are never a positive development, they can sometimes serve as a catalyst for organizational restructuring and renewed focus on core projects.
In the case of Schell Games, the company may be looking to streamline operations, prioritize high‑impact initiatives, or pivot toward emerging technologies such as augmented reality or educational gaming—areas where the studio has previously demonstrated expertise. The public relations manager’s final remarks also highlight a broader cultural shift within the gaming sector. Employees are increasingly using platforms like LinkedIn to share transparent updates about workplace changes, fostering a community dialogue about job security, company values, and the human side of game development.
This openness can help other professionals anticipate market trends, adjust career plans, and seek support networks during periods of uncertainty. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs, but as of the time of writing, no response has been received. The situation remains fluid, and the full ramifications for the studio’s upcoming projects, its remaining staff, and its standing within the industry will likely become clearer in the weeks and months ahead.
In summary, Schell Games—renowned for its creative contributions to titles like Among Us 3D and the I Expect You To Die series—has announced its first-ever round of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects. The cuts come amid a challenging economic environment for the gaming industry and appear to contradict the CEO’s previously stated commitment to safeguarding jobs.
While the immediate impact is felt by those directly affected, the broader implications for the studio’s future direction and the industry’s employment landscape remain to be seen.