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 initiated a round of layoffs affecting several members of its staff. The news first surfaced in a piece published by Game Developer, which highlighted a series of LinkedIn updates from current employees that detailed the timing and scope of the cuts. According to those posts, the layoff process began on a Friday and has continued over the subsequent days, marking a significant moment for a company that has historically prided itself on job security.
One of the first public acknowledgments came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games experienced its "first ever layoffs" on that particular day. The manager made it clear that they themselves were not among those let go, and they emphasized that the reductions were 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 manager wrote, underscoring a broader industry‑wide downturn that appears to be affecting many developers, regardless of their track records. The impact of the cuts extended beyond engineering. Marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr.
also took to LinkedIn to confirm that the marketing department was among those affected. In his post, Waite listed four individuals who were directly impacted, offering a brief acknowledgment of their contributions. Further details emerged from the studio’s senior public relations manager, who identified additional employees from the art, design, and visual effects teams who were part of the reduction. When the various posts are combined, the consensus among observers is that approximately fourteen people have been affected in total.
This figure is notable when compared to the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which indicates a workforce size ranging from 51 to 200 employees, suggesting that the layoffs represent a non‑trivial percentage of the overall staff. The public relations manager also shared a reflective message about the experience. "I won't pretend this isn't a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years," they wrote, expressing a mixture of sadness and gratitude. "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 the situation: while the departure is unwelcome, many departing employees feel a sense of pride in the projects they helped bring to life and in the collaborative relationships they forged.
The layoffs are particularly striking given the longstanding public position of Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has consistently spoken out against job cuts in the gaming industry. 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 highlighted a commitment to preserving employment even in the face of uncertain revenue streams, a stance that resonated with many within the industry who fear the volatility that can accompany game development cycles. However, the recent layoffs suggest that external pressures—such as a broader market contraction, rising development costs, or shifting consumer preferences—have created conditions that even a company with a strong ethical stance on employment cannot easily circumvent.
Industry analysts point out that the gaming sector has been experiencing a period of contraction, often referred to as a "bleeding" phase, where revenue growth has slowed, funding has become more cautious, and consumer spending patterns have shifted toward fewer, larger blockbuster titles rather than a diverse array of mid‑tier releases. This macro‑economic environment has forced many studios, both large and independent, to reassess staffing levels, project pipelines, and overall business strategies. Schell Games, despite its reputation for innovative and immersive experiences, appears to be feeling the ripple effects of these trends. The response from the broader community has been one of empathy and concern.
Colleagues from other studios have offered support, and former employees have taken to social media to share memories of their time at Schell Games, praising the studio’s creative culture and collaborative atmosphere. Some have also expressed hope that the affected staff will find new opportunities quickly, citing the strong portfolios and industry connections that many of them have built over the years. While Schell Games has not issued an official statement beyond the individual LinkedIn posts, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to the studio for comment.
As of now, no further details have been provided regarding the specific reasons behind the layoffs, the departments most impacted beyond those already mentioned, or any plans for future hiring or restructuring. In summary, Schell Games—once celebrated for its steady employment practices and innovative titles—has entered a challenging phase marked by its first wave of layoffs. The decision reflects broader industry pressures and underscores the difficulty of maintaining a no‑layoff policy in an environment where financial realities can shift rapidly. The affected employees, while saddened by the abrupt end to their tenure, have expressed pride in their contributions and optimism for future prospects.
The situation remains fluid, and observers will be watching closely to see how the studio navigates the aftermath and whether it can uphold its commitment to employee stability in the months ahead.