Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs affecting several members of its staff. The news emerged after multiple employees posted about the cuts on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by the industry outlet Game Developer. The first public indication of the layoffs came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted on LinkedIn that the company had carried out its "first ever layoffs" on a Friday.
The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they added a note of empathy for their colleagues: "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The announcement was quickly corroborated by Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who confirmed that the reductions touched the marketing department. He went on to name four specific employees who were impacted. In a separate post, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager listed additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the layoffs spanned multiple disciplines within the company.
Based on the aggregation of these LinkedIn updates, it appears that roughly fourteen individuals have been affected. While the exact headcount of Schell Games is not publicly disclosed, its LinkedIn profile lists the organization as employing somewhere between 51 and 200 people, suggesting that the cuts represent a noticeable percentage of the overall workforce.
One of the affected public‑relations staff members 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 underscores both the personal impact of the layoffs and the professional fulfillment many employees felt during their tenure. The timing of the layoffs is particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long positioned the studio as an employer that protects its staff from financial volatility.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from employment risk. 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 remarks suggested a commitment to absorbing financial setbacks internally rather than resorting to staff reductions. The recent layoffs, therefore, appear to contradict that earlier pledge, raising questions about the pressures the studio is currently facing. While the exact drivers behind the decision have not been detailed, industry observers point to a broader trend of contraction across the gaming sector. The past year has seen a series of high‑profile closures, studio consolidations, and workforce reductions as publishers and developers grapple with rising development costs, shifting consumer habits, and economic uncertainty.
The gaming industry, once characterized by rapid growth and abundant talent acquisition, is now experiencing what many describe as a "hemorrhaging" of staff. Talent pools are shrinking as companies implement hiring freezes, delay projects, or shut down entire divisions.
This macro‑environment creates a challenging backdrop for mid‑size studios like Schell Games, which must balance creative ambition with fiscal prudence. In addition to the internal ramifications, the layoffs may have external implications for the projects currently in development at Schell Games. The studio is known for its focus on immersive experiences, educational titles, and narrative‑driven games that often require close collaboration between designers, artists, programmers, and writers. Reducing headcount in key areas such as art and design could affect timelines, asset pipelines, and overall quality assurance processes.
However, the company has not released any official statements regarding potential delays or changes to upcoming releases. The broader community response has been one of empathy and support. Several former employees and industry peers have taken to social media to thank Schell Games for the opportunities they received and to wish their former colleagues success in future endeavors.
Some have even offered freelance assistance or job leads, reflecting a culture of solidarity that often emerges when a well‑regarded studio faces downsizing. While Schell Games has not yet issued a formal press release addressing the layoffs, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out for comment.
As of now, the studio’s leadership has remained silent on the specifics of the decision, the criteria used to select affected staff, or any plans for future hiring. This silence leaves room for speculation but also underscores the delicate nature of public communications during workforce reductions.
In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its innovative titles and commitment to employee well‑being, has announced its first round of layoffs, impacting an estimated fourteen workers across marketing, art, design, and visual effects. The move comes at a time when the wider gaming industry is confronting significant financial headwinds, despite previous statements from CEO Jesse Schell emphasizing a policy of protecting jobs. The long‑term effects on the studio’s projects, morale, and reputation remain to be seen, but the immediate reaction from the community reflects both disappointment at the loss and admiration for the contributions of those departing.