Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for delivering the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly been forced to trim its workforce. Multiple LinkedIn updates from current employees, as highlighted in a recent piece by Game Developer, reveal that the layoff process began late last week, specifically on Friday. One of the first messages to surface came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted, "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today," while noting that they themselves remained employed.
The engineering manager went on to reassure colleagues and observers alike, stating, "This has happened not because of anything you did or didn’t do. Our industry – and the broader economy – is literally hemorrhaging right now." This candid admission underscores the broader market pressures that have been affecting many game development firms across the globe. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who publicly acknowledged that the cuts extended into the marketing department. He listed four individuals who were directly impacted.
In addition, the senior public relations manager for Schell Games shared a longer roster of names, indicating that the reductions also touched the art, design, and visual effects teams. When tallying the publicly disclosed names, industry watchers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been let go.
This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn company page lists its headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members, suggesting that the layoffs represent a meaningful percentage of the organization’s total personnel. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt LinkedIn post. "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 sentiment captures both the personal impact of the job loss and the enduring sense of accomplishment that can accompany a long tenure at a creative studio.
The timing of these layoffs is particularly striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has long positioned himself as a vocal opponent of workforce reductions. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. 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." Schell further elaborated that even if a proprietary title generated no revenue, the studio would still avoid laying off staff, emphasizing that the company strives to maintain a sustainable path forward without sacrificing its people. He said, "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 recent cuts therefore appear to stand in contrast to that publicly stated commitment, raising questions about the underlying financial pressures that may have forced the leadership’s hand. While the exact reasons for the downsizing have not been disclosed in detail, industry analysts point to several converging factors that have been straining the broader video‑game sector.
First, the global economic environment has been turbulent, with inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, and supply‑chain disruptions affecting consumer spending on entertainment. Many gamers have been tightening discretionary budgets, which can translate into slower sales for both big‑budget blockbusters and smaller indie titles.
Second, the competitive landscape has intensified, with an ever‑growing number of studios vying for attention on platforms ranging from consoles and PC to mobile and emerging cloud‑gaming services. This heightened competition can make it more difficult for mid‑size developers like Schell Games to secure the marketing spend and shelf space needed to drive strong launch numbers. Additionally, the shift toward live‑service models and ongoing content updates has altered revenue expectations. Studios that rely on a traditional one‑time purchase model may find it harder to generate the recurring cash flow that investors now often demand.
For a studio that has historically focused on narrative‑driven, puzzle‑oriented experiences, adapting to these new financial expectations can be a steep challenge. The layoffs also reflect a broader industry trend where even well‑established developers are not immune to workforce reductions.
Over the past year, several notable studios have announced similar measures, citing market volatility and the need to streamline operations. While such moves are often framed as temporary or strategic, they inevitably affect morale and can lead to talent attrition, as seasoned developers seek more stable opportunities elsewhere. From a human‑resources perspective, the decision to let go of staff is rarely taken lightly. Companies typically weigh the cost of severance packages, the potential loss of institutional knowledge, and the impact on remaining employees’ productivity.
In Schell Games’ case, the public statements from affected staff suggest that the company attempted to handle the situation with transparency and empathy, acknowledging the contributions of those departing and expressing gratitude for their work. Looking ahead, the future of Schell Games will likely depend on how effectively the leadership can navigate the current financial headwinds while staying true to the creative vision that has defined its brand. Jesse Schell’s earlier comments about protecting jobs indicate a desire to prioritize people over profit, but the reality of cash flow constraints may force a reassessment of that ideal. The studio may explore alternative funding models, such as partnerships, publishing deals, or even venture capital, to shore up its balance sheet without resorting to further layoffs.
In the meantime, the broader gaming community watches with interest. Schell Games has cultivated a loyal fan base through its innovative use of virtual reality, engaging storytelling, and educational game design. If the studio can leverage its existing IPs and perhaps expand into new platforms or collaborative projects, it could emerge from this period of contraction with a more focused, resilient operation.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for additional comment on the layoffs, but as of this writing no further response has been provided. The situation remains fluid, and stakeholders—from employees and investors to fans—will be monitoring developments closely to see how the company balances its financial realities with its longstanding commitment to its workforce.