Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for producing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly begun a round of staff reductions. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees indicated that layoffs started last Friday, marking the first time the company has ever had to let employees go. The information first surfaced in a report by Game Developer, which cited multiple LinkedIn posts from people who work—or previously worked—at the studio.
One of those posts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, “Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today.” The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those whose positions were eliminated. The engineering manager went on to explain the broader context, stating, “This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging.” The phrasing underscores a sentiment shared by many in the gaming sector, where rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and a tightening of investment have created a challenging environment for even well‑established developers.
Further confirmation came from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who used his own LinkedIn post to acknowledge that the cuts had impacted the marketing team. He listed four individuals who were directly affected, offering a personal touch to the otherwise stark announcement. In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, painting a picture of a cross‑functional reduction that touched multiple corners of the organization.
Based on the aggregate of these posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been let go. This figure is notable given the studio’s publicly listed headcount range of 51‑200 employees on its LinkedIn company page, suggesting that the layoffs represent a modest but meaningful percentage of the workforce. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, posted a reflective message that captured both disappointment and pride.
“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 highlights a common theme in layoff narratives: while the immediate impact is painful, many departing staff members choose to focus on the positive experiences and professional growth they gained while at the company.
The layoffs are particularly striking because they come at odds with 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 articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from employment risk. 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 further elaborated that even if the studio’s own intellectual property generated no revenue, the company would still aim to keep its staff employed, stating, “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 reflect an ideal many developers aspire to: maintaining a stable workforce regardless of market volatility. However, the reality of the current gaming climate—characterized by rising production budgets, a crowded marketplace, and heightened investor scrutiny—has forced even studios with strong ethical commitments to reconsider their staffing strategies. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for additional comment on the layoffs, seeking clarification on how the company reconciles its stated philosophy with the recent reductions. As of now, no further official statement has been released by the studio.
The broader industry context cannot be ignored. Over the past year, several mid‑size and large developers have announced similar workforce reductions, citing factors such as delayed releases, underperforming titles, and the need to reallocate resources toward emerging technologies like virtual reality and live‑service models.
Analysts point out that while the gaming market overall continues to grow, the distribution of that growth is uneven, with a handful of blockbuster titles capturing a disproportionate share of revenue. For Schell Games, the impact of these layoffs may also be tied to the performance of recent projects. While the studio’s I Expect You to Die series has enjoyed a dedicated fan base, the transition to new platforms and the development of a 3‑D version of Among Us likely required substantial investment. If those projects have not yet yielded the expected returns, the company may have found itself needing to tighten its belt.
Employees who remain at Schell Games are likely to face an increased workload as the studio restructures its teams. Management will need to communicate clearly about new priorities, reassign responsibilities, and provide support to maintain morale. In similar situations across the industry, studios have introduced measures such as internal mobility programs, upskilling opportunities, and transparent financial briefings to help staff navigate periods of uncertainty.
In summary, Schell Games’ first ever layoffs represent a sobering moment for a studio that has historically championed employee stability. The decision appears to be a response to broader market pressures rather than any internal performance issues, reflecting a trend that is reshaping the landscape of game development worldwide. The coming weeks will reveal how the company adapts its operations and whether it can uphold the principles espoused by its founder while navigating the financial realities of today’s gaming ecosystem.