Schell Games, the development 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 begun a round of layoffs affecting a number of its employees. The news broke after Game Developer published a story that referenced a series of LinkedIn updates posted by staff members at the studio. These posts indicated that the first wave of cuts started on a Friday, marking the company’s inaugural experience with workforce reductions. One of the most prominent messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the layoffs were occurring for reasons unrelated to any personal performance issues.
"Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today," the manager posted, adding, "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The announcement was corroborated by the studio’s marketing director, Dwayne Waite Jr., who confirmed that the marketing department was among those impacted. He went on to list four individuals from his team who were affected. In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared further details, naming several colleagues from the art, design, and visual effects divisions who were also let go.
Based on the collective information from these posts, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the cuts. Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the company size as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members, which suggests that the layoffs represent a noticeable but not catastrophic proportion of the overall 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," she 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 timing of these layoffs is especially striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has long been an outspoken opponent of cutting jobs as a cost‑saving measure. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods.
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." He continued, "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." These statements have now been called into question by the recent layoffs, which seem to contradict the public stance Schell has maintained for years.
The discrepancy has sparked conversation across industry forums, with many observers wondering whether broader market pressures have forced the studio to abandon its previously stated principles. The video‑game sector as a whole has been experiencing a turbulent period, with many publishers and developers reporting revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, and shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models and free‑to‑play titles. This environment has led to what some analysts describe as a "hemorrhaging" of talent and resources across the industry, a phrase echoed in the engineering manager’s LinkedIn post.
In addition to the internal challenges faced by Schell Games, external factors such as rising development costs, increased competition for player attention, and the lingering effects of the global economic slowdown have placed additional strain on mid‑size studios. While larger publishers can often absorb short‑term losses, smaller and medium‑sized companies frequently find themselves needing to make difficult staffing decisions in order to preserve cash flow and stay solvent. Schell Games has not yet issued an official press release regarding the layoffs, and GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to the studio for comment. Until a formal statement is released, the details remain largely based on the personal accounts shared by former employees on social media platforms.
The situation highlights a broader trend in the gaming world where even studios with strong reputations for employee-friendly policies are not immune to market volatility. It also raises questions about how companies will balance their ethical commitments to staff with the harsh financial realities of an industry that can shift dramatically from year to year. For the affected employees, the transition will likely involve navigating severance packages, potential outplacement services, and the emotional impact of leaving a workplace where they have invested years of effort and creativity. Many have expressed optimism about applying their skills to new opportunities, citing the valuable experience gained at Schell Games as a strong foundation for future endeavors.
As the industry continues to evolve, the story of Schell Games serves as a reminder that no studio, regardless of its size or leadership philosophy, is completely insulated from economic pressures. Stakeholders, from investors to developers, will be watching closely to see how the company restructures its operations and whether it can uphold its long‑standing promise to protect its workforce while navigating the uncertain financial landscape ahead.