Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has recently confirmed that it is cutting staff positions. The news surfaced after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer and other industry outlets.
The first public indication of the reductions came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted on LinkedIn on Friday to announce that Schell Games had carried out its inaugural round of layoffs. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and added a note of empathy for the affected colleagues. "This isn’t a result of any individual actions. Our sector is currently bleeding heavily," they wrote, emphasizing that the decision was driven by broader market forces rather than personal performance.
Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who identified that the marketing department was among the areas impacted. He listed four specific team members who were part of the reduction, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers. In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the cuts were spread across multiple disciplines rather than isolated to a single function. Based on the information gathered from these LinkedIn posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by the layoffs.
This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ own LinkedIn company page lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 employees, meaning the cuts represent a noticeable, though not overwhelming, percentage of the total staff. The public‑relations manager also expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective comment. "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." This sentiment captures both the personal impact of the layoffs and the professional satisfaction derived from the work completed at Schell Games.
The layoffs are particularly striking because they appear to contradict the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long positioned the studio as a company that protects its employees from financial volatility. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from staff risk. 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. 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." That declaration has now been called into question by the recent staff reductions. While Schell’s comments suggested a commitment to preserving employment even in the face of fiscal challenges, the reality of a shrinking workforce indicates that the studio has had to reassess its position in light of the broader economic climate affecting the video‑game industry.
The gaming sector as a whole has been experiencing a period of contraction, with many companies reporting revenue shortfalls, delayed projects, and shifting consumer preferences. Analysts point to a combination of factors, including rising development costs, heightened competition from both established publishers and emerging indie studios, and a post‑pandemic correction in consumer spending on entertainment.
This environment has forced numerous studios to tighten budgets, delay releases, or, as in the case of Schell Games, reduce headcount. For Schell Games specifically, the layoffs may reflect a strategic pivot or a response to a particular project’s performance. The studio has a reputation for producing high‑quality, narrative‑driven experiences that often blend physical interaction with digital gameplay. Maintaining that level of craftsmanship can be resource‑intensive, and any dip in funding or market demand can quickly translate into financial pressure.
Industry observers also note that the timing of the layoffs—coming after a series of successful releases and a generally positive reputation—could signal deeper, less visible challenges. For example, the studio may be reallocating resources toward new IP development, investing in emerging technologies such as virtual or augmented reality, or simply adjusting its cost structure to align with projected revenue streams. Regardless of the underlying reasons, the impact on the affected employees is tangible. Layoffs not only disrupt personal finances but also affect morale across the remaining team.
Companies often respond by offering severance packages, outplacement services, or internal transfers to mitigate the shock. However, the public statements from Schell Games’ leadership suggest an emphasis on transparency and empathy, perhaps aiming to preserve trust among the remaining staff and the broader community.
The situation also raises broader questions about the sustainability of the "no‑layoff" promise that some studios make. While such pledges can be attractive to talent during recruitment, they may become untenable when market conditions shift dramatically. The balance between protecting employees and maintaining a viable business model is a delicate one, and Schell Games’ recent experience serves as a case study in how even well‑intentioned policies can be tested by external pressures. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and on how the company intends to reconcile its earlier statements with the current reality.
As of now, no response has been published, leaving the industry and former employees to speculate on the next steps for the studio. In summary, Schell Games—renowned for its innovative game design and immersive experiences—has undertaken its first round of staff reductions, affecting an estimated fourteen individuals across marketing, art, design, and visual‑effects departments. The cuts come amid a broader industry downturn and appear to conflict with the founder’s previously expressed commitment to safeguarding jobs.
While the long‑term implications for the studio remain uncertain, the episode underscores the volatility of the video‑game market and the challenges even well‑established developers face in navigating financial headwinds.