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 layoffs affecting several of its employees. The information first surfaced in a piece published by Game Developer, which cited a series of LinkedIn updates posted by members of the Schell Games team.
These posts detailed that the layoffs started on a Friday and have continued to unfold over the past few days. One of the first messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games experienced its inaugural layoffs today." The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those whose positions were terminated.
They went on to explain the broader context, stating, "This isn’t a result of any individual’s actions. Our sector—and indeed the wider entertainment landscape—are currently bleeding heavily." The news was corroborated by the studio’s marketing director, Dwayne Waite Jr., who confirmed that the cuts extended into the marketing department. He publicly named four colleagues who were impacted, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers. In addition, the senior public relations manager for Schell Games shared further details, listing names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also let go.
Compiling the information from these various posts suggests that roughly fourteen staff members have been affected by the reductions. This figure is notable given that Schell Games lists its total workforce as ranging between 51 and 200 employees on its LinkedIn company page, indicating that the layoffs represent a measurable portion of the studio’s overall headcount. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective LinkedIn note.
"I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after nearly 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 both the personal impact of the job loss and the broader sense of accomplishment that many long‑term employees feel after contributing to a successful indie studio. The layoffs are particularly striking because they appear to run counter to the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken out against cutting jobs as a cost‑saving measure.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized that the studio separates financial risk from the risk to its workforce. He said, "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." Schell elaborated further, explaining that even if the studio’s own intellectual property generated no revenue, the company would still avoid laying off staff. "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," he asserted. This philosophy has been a cornerstone of the studio’s public image, positioning Schell Games as a developer that values employee stability over short‑term financial pressures. The recent staff reductions therefore raise questions about what has changed behind the scenes to prompt a departure from that philosophy. Industry observers note that the broader video‑game market has been experiencing a period of contraction, with many mid‑size studios facing funding shortfalls, delayed releases, and shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service and mobile titles.
The term "hemorrhaging" used by the engineering manager reflects a sentiment echoed across the sector, where even well‑established indie studios are feeling the pressure of reduced publisher budgets and a more cautious investment climate. In addition to market forces, the timing of the layoffs coincides with a series of high‑profile studio closures and workforce reductions that have taken place over the past year, suggesting that Schell Games may be reacting to a combination of external economic pressures and internal strategic realignments. Some analysts speculate that the studio could be reallocating resources toward new projects, perhaps focusing on emerging technologies such as virtual reality, which has been a growing area of interest for Schell Games given its previous work on immersive experiences. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and to seek clarification on how the company plans to reconcile its stated commitment to job security with the recent cuts.
As of the time of writing, no response has been received, leaving the community to await further details. The situation at Schell Games underscores a broader narrative within the gaming industry: even studios that have cultivated a reputation for employee‑centric policies are not immune to the financial realities that can force difficult decisions. For the affected staff, the transition will likely involve seeking new opportunities within a competitive job market, leveraging the experience and skills they honed while contributing to beloved titles like Among Us 3D and I Expect You to Die. For observers and fellow developers, the episode serves as a reminder that the health of the gaming ecosystem is interconnected.
When one segment experiences a downturn, the ripple effects can be felt across development teams, publishers, and the broader community of creators and players alike. As Schell Games moves forward, the hope among its supporters is that the studio can navigate these challenges while staying true to the values that have defined its culture for years. In the meantime, the individuals who have been let go are encouraged to draw upon the strong portfolio they helped build, the professional networks they cultivated, and the industry’s ongoing demand for talented designers, artists, and engineers. The resilience and adaptability demonstrated by these professionals will be crucial as they embark on the next chapter of their careers, whether within Schell Games’ future projects or in new ventures across the ever‑evolving landscape of interactive entertainment.