Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for producing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has recently been forced to reduce its workforce. The news broke after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by industry outlet Game Developer. The first public indication of the cuts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company was conducting its inaugural round of layoffs on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those being let go, and they emphasized that the decision was 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 post read, underscoring the broader market turmoil that is affecting many game developers. Marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr.
later confirmed that the marketing department was among those impacted, even naming four individuals who were directly affected. In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager added further detail, listing colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also part of the reduction.
When the various posts were compiled, it appeared that roughly fourteen employees in total were let go. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists its staff size as ranging from 51 to 200 employees, meaning the cuts represent a noticeable, though not catastrophic, percentage of the workforce. The public‑relations manager also shared a personal reflection on the experience, describing the layoff as a "disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years" with the studio. Despite the sadness, the manager expressed pride in the work accomplished during their tenure and gratitude for the relationships built with teammates.
"I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost 6 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 layoffs are particularly striking because they come at a time when Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has publicly championed a philosophy of protecting jobs. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a clear stance: financial risk should be separated from employment risk.
He explained that while the studio is willing to gamble cash on game development projects, it strives never to gamble the livelihoods of its staff. "At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk," Schell said. "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." The contradiction between Schell’s stated policy and the recent layoffs has drawn attention from observers who note that the gaming industry as a whole has been experiencing a period of financial strain. Market analysts point to a combination of factors—including rising development costs, a saturated market, and shifting consumer preferences—as contributors to the current "bleeding" environment. Many studios, from indie outfits to large publishers, have announced workforce reductions, studio closures, or project cancellations in the past year, reflecting a broader trend of caution and cost‑cutting.
While Schell Games has not yet issued an official statement beyond the employee‑shared posts, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out for comment. The lack of a formal response leaves room for speculation about the internal decision‑making process. Some industry insiders suggest that the layoffs may be tied to the performance of recent titles, the need to reallocate resources toward upcoming projects, or the impact of external economic pressures such as inflation and reduced advertising spend.
In the meantime, the affected employees are navigating the transition, with many expressing a mixture of disappointment and optimism. The public‑relations manager’s sentiment of pride and gratitude reflects a common theme among laid‑off workers: despite the abrupt ending, the experience and skills gained during their time at Schell Games remain valuable assets for future opportunities.
The studio’s reputation for innovative gameplay and immersive storytelling may also help former staff members secure new positions within the broader gaming ecosystem. Looking ahead, Schell Games will likely need to reassess its operational strategy to align with the current market reality while striving to honor the commitment to employee security that Jesse Schell has publicly advocated. Whether this will involve a renewed focus on smaller, lower‑risk projects, a pivot toward new revenue streams such as live‑service models, or strategic partnerships remains to be seen.
The situation serves as a reminder that even studios with strong creative legacies are not immune to the financial headwinds affecting the entire industry. For now, the community watches closely as Schell Games navigates this challenging period, hoping that the studio can emerge resilient and continue to produce the kind of inventive experiences that have defined its brand over the past decade.