Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of Among Us and for the popular I Expect You to Die series, has recently been forced to cut staff members. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from employees indicated that the company began a wave of layoffs on Friday.
One of the first to speak up was the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs that day. He clarified that he himself was not among those let go and emphasized that the reductions were not tied to any personal performance issues. "This isn’t a result of any individual's actions.
Our sector is currently bleeding heavily," he wrote, underscoring the broader industry turmoil that has been affecting many developers. The cuts also hit the marketing department, as confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr., who publicly identified four colleagues who were impacted. In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager shared further details, naming several individuals from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also part of the layoff wave.
By tallying the various LinkedIn posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected in total. This figure is notable given Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile, which lists the company’s headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members. The public‑relations manager 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.
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 fulfillment that many long‑time employees felt during their tenure. The layoffs are particularly striking because they come despite the long‑standing public position taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has repeatedly spoken against job cuts. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees.
He stated, "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." Schell’s comments suggested that the studio would rather absorb financial uncertainty than sacrifice its workforce, a stance that has resonated with many in the industry as a model of responsible management.
However, the recent layoffs illustrate the harsh reality that even studios with strong ethical commitments can be vulnerable when market conditions deteriorate. The broader gaming sector has been experiencing a period of contraction, with several high‑profile studios announcing reductions, project delays, or even closures as consumer spending patterns shift and development costs continue to rise. Industry analysts point to several factors contributing to this downturn: rising production budgets, increased competition from both established publishers and indie developers, and a lingering after‑effects of the pandemic‑driven surge in game sales that has now normalized. Additionally, the shift toward live‑service models and subscription‑based revenue streams has placed pressure on studios to deliver ongoing content updates, often requiring larger, more specialized teams.
When revenue streams falter, even companies that have previously pledged to protect jobs can find themselves forced to make difficult staffing decisions. For Schell Games, the layoffs may also reflect a strategic realignment.
The studio has been known for its focus on immersive experiences, educational games, and narrative‑driven titles. As the market for such experiences evolves, the company might be reallocating resources toward projects with higher commercial potential or scaling back on initiatives that are not meeting financial expectations. While the public statements from the affected employees emphasize gratitude and personal growth, they also hint at the uncertainty that many developers feel about the future of their careers in an industry that can swing dramatically from boom to bust. The announcement has sparked discussion among gamers and industry watchers alike.
Some have praised Schell Games for its transparency, noting that the company chose to communicate the layoffs publicly rather than quietly dismiss staff. Others have expressed concern that the move could signal deeper financial strains within the studio, especially given Jesse Schell’s earlier assurances about job security. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for further comment on the situation, seeking clarification on the underlying reasons for the cuts and whether additional reductions might be on the horizon.
As of now, the studio has not provided an official response, leaving the community to speculate about the long‑term impact on ongoing projects and the company’s overall stability. In summary, Schell Games, a developer celebrated for its innovative contributions to the gaming world, has entered a challenging phase marked by its first-ever layoffs. Approximately fourteen staff members across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects have been let go, reflecting a broader industry contraction despite the company’s earlier commitment to safeguarding employment.
The episode underscores the volatile nature of the gaming business, where even studios with strong ethical pledges must sometimes confront harsh economic realities. The full ramifications for Schell Games’ future projects, its workforce, and its reputation within the industry remain to be seen, pending further statements from the company and its leadership.