Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You To Die series, has confirmed that it is cutting staff positions. The news broke after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer magazine. The first public indication of the reductions came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company was undergoing its inaugural round of layoffs.
The manager emphasized that the decision was not a reflection of any employee’s performance, noting, "This isn’t a result of any individual actions. Our industry is currently bleeding heavily," and adding that the broader entertainment sector is experiencing a severe downturn. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who disclosed that the marketing department was among those affected.
He listed four specific colleagues whose positions were eliminated. In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared a longer roster of names, indicating that the cuts extended into the art, design, and visual‑effects teams as well. Compiling the various LinkedIn posts suggests that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs.
Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the firm’s total headcount as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, meaning the reductions represent a noticeable but not catastrophic proportion of the workforce. One of the affected public‑relations staff members posted a reflective message, saying, "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." The sentiment captures both the sorrow of an unexpected exit and the pride in the work completed over a multi‑year tenure. The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken out against job cuts.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell explained his philosophy that financial risk should be separated from the risk to employees. 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." Schell’s comments underscore a broader industry conversation about how studios balance fiscal pressures with the wellbeing of their teams. The video‑game sector has been grappling with a series of market contractions, rising development costs, and shifting consumer habits, all of which have forced many companies to rethink staffing levels.
While some studios have turned to furloughs, reduced hours, or voluntary departure programs, others have opted for outright layoffs, as seen at Schell Games. The timing of the cuts also aligns with a wave of consolidations and budget tightening across the interactive entertainment landscape. Publishers have become more cautious about green‑lighting new IPs, and many mid‑size developers are feeling the squeeze as larger players dominate distribution platforms and marketing spend. For a studio like Schell Games, which has built a reputation for high‑quality, narrative‑driven experiences, maintaining a stable workforce while navigating these market forces presents a delicate balancing act.
Industry observers note that Schell Games’ portfolio—spanning both consumer‑focused titles and educational experiences—has historically provided a diversified revenue stream. However, even diversified studios are not immune to macro‑economic headwinds. The recent layoffs may reflect a strategic decision to streamline operations, reduce overhead, and preserve cash reserves in anticipation of a slower sales cycle. The company has not released an official statement beyond the employee‑shared posts, and GamesIndustry.biz reports that it has reached out to Schell Games for comment.
Until an official response is issued, the exact reasons behind the staff reductions remain speculative, though the publicly available remarks suggest a combination of industry‑wide financial strain and a desire to protect the long‑term viability of the studio. For the employees who remain, the announcement likely brings a mix of relief—knowing their jobs are still secure—and uncertainty about the future workload and project timelines.
The remaining team will probably need to absorb additional responsibilities, re‑prioritize development milestones, and possibly adjust the scope of upcoming releases. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its innovative gameplay and immersive storytelling, has undergone its first round of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen staff members across marketing, art, design, and visual‑effects. The cuts come amid a broader industry downturn and appear to conflict with the CEO’s previously expressed commitment to safeguarding jobs.
While the full impact on the studio’s projects and culture remains to be seen, the situation highlights the ongoing challenges that mid‑size developers face in a volatile market.