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 begun a round of staff reductions. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees detailed a wave of layoffs that started on a Friday earlier this week. The initial tip came from Game Developer, which highlighted several posts on the professional networking site.
One of the first to speak up was the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that Schell Games experienced its "first ever layoffs" on that day. The manager clarified that they themselves had not been dismissed, but they were delivering the unsettling news to the rest of the team. "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," the engineering manager posted, underscoring the broader market pressures that appear to be driving the cuts.
The phrasing suggests that the layoffs are not tied to individual performance but rather reflect a systemic downturn affecting the entire gaming ecosystem. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who identified that the marketing department was among those impacted. He listed four colleagues who were let go, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers.
Adding to the picture, the senior public‑relations manager at Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the reductions cut across multiple disciplines rather than being confined to a single function. Compiling the information from these various posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by the layoffs. This figure is notable when compared to the studio’s publicly listed headcount on LinkedIn, which places the company’s size somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members.
Even at the upper end of that range, a fourteen‑person reduction represents a significant percentage of the workforce. One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, posted a reflective message that captured both disappointment and gratitude.
"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 tone of this statement highlights the emotional weight of losing a job, while also emphasizing a sense of professional fulfillment and camaraderie built over a multi‑year tenure.
The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long advocated against job cuts within the organization. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. He asserted, "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 that even if a proprietary intellectual property failed to generate revenue, the studio would still aim to preserve its workforce. "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 explained.
This rhetoric has been a cornerstone of the company’s public image, positioning Schell Games as an employer that values stability for its staff even amid market volatility. The current round of layoffs therefore raises questions about how the company’s stated principles are being reconciled with the reality of a contracting market. While the gaming industry as a whole has faced a series of challenges—including rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and broader economic headwinds—Schell Games’ decision appears to be a response to those pressures, despite prior assurances.
Industry analysts note that the timing aligns with a broader trend of workforce reductions across many game development studios, as publishers and developers alike grapple with the aftermath of a post‑pandemic boom that has since cooled. Revenue streams that were once buoyed by an influx of new players have begun to plateau, prompting companies to reassess budgets and staffing levels. For the employees who remain at Schell Games, the situation may bring both uncertainty and opportunity. On one hand, the departure of colleagues can increase workloads and shift responsibilities, potentially leading to a period of adjustment.
On the other hand, the studio may double down on its core projects, focusing resources on titles that promise the greatest return on investment. This could result in a more streamlined development pipeline and a clearer strategic direction.
The public relations manager’s farewell message also hints at a broader cultural narrative within the studio. Their expression of pride and gratitude suggests that, despite the abrupt ending, the experience at Schell Games was largely positive. Such sentiments can be valuable for the company’s reputation, signaling to prospective talent that the workplace fosters meaningful collaborations and professional growth.
As of now, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs, but a response has not yet been published. The lack of an immediate statement leaves room for speculation about the company’s future plans, including whether additional rounds of reductions might be on the horizon or if this is a one‑off adjustment aimed at stabilizing finances. In summary, Schell Games—renowned for its innovative contributions to both casual and immersive gaming experiences—has entered a challenging phase marked by its first-ever staff cuts.
The layoffs affect a cross‑section of the workforce, with estimates pointing to around fourteen individuals losing their positions. While the move runs counter to the CEO’s previously articulated commitment to safeguarding jobs, it appears to be a response to a broader industry downturn that has forced many studios to tighten belts. The affected employees have expressed a mixture of disappointment and appreciation for their time at the company, underscoring the human impact behind the numbers.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are likely to emerge as the studio navigates the evolving economic landscape.