Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die franchise, has recently been forced to reduce its workforce. According to a report published by Game Developer, a series of LinkedIn updates from current employees revealed that the company began laying off staff as early as last Friday, marking the first time the studio has ever had to make such cuts. The first public indication of the layoffs came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games had experienced its inaugural round of staff reductions.
The manager clarified that they themselves had not been dismissed, but they were witnessing colleagues depart. In the same post, the manager offered a candid explanation, 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 broader market slump that is affecting not only game developers but also a range of creative and technology sectors. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who identified that the marketing department was among those impacted.
He went on to name four specific individuals who were let go, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers. Adding to the list, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games disclosed additional names from the art, design, and visual effects teams, indicating that the cuts were spread across multiple disciplines rather than confined to a single function.
Compiling the information from these various posts, industry observers estimate that approximately fourteen employees have been affected by the layoffs. This figure is notable when considered against Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile, which lists the company’s size as ranging from 51 to 200 employees. Even at the upper end of that range, the loss of fourteen staff members represents a meaningful percentage of the total workforce, suggesting a substantial impact on the studio’s day‑to‑day operations and project pipelines. One of the employees who posted about the experience, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride.
They wrote, "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 the bittersweet reality of many layoffs: while the termination itself is painful, the professional growth and relationships forged over years of collaboration remain a source of lasting value. The timing of these layoffs is especially striking because it appears to contradict the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, on the subject of job security. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods.
He asserted, "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 a commitment to shielding staff from the volatility of the market, even if it meant absorbing financial losses on the balance sheet. The recent layoffs, therefore, raise questions about whether the company’s financial situation has deteriorated to a point where protecting jobs is no longer feasible, or whether external pressures—such as reduced consumer spending, higher development costs, or a slowdown in publishing deals—have forced a reassessment of that philosophy. The broader context of the gaming industry also provides insight into why even a studio with a strong reputation for innovative, narrative‑driven experiences might be compelled to cut staff. Over the past few years, the sector has faced a series of headwinds: rising production budgets, a competitive marketplace crowded with both AAA blockbusters and a flood of indie titles, and shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models and subscription services.
These factors have collectively contributed to what many analysts describe as a "bleeding" industry, where revenue streams are less predictable and cash flow can be erratic. For Schell Games, which has traditionally balanced commercial projects with educational and experiential games, the pressure may be amplified by the need to sustain multiple revenue streams while maintaining a high standard of creative quality. The studio’s portfolio includes not only entertainment titles but also collaborations with museums, corporate clients, and educational institutions.
Each of these segments has its own budget cycles and risk profiles, and a downturn in any one area can ripple across the organization. In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment, seeking clarification on the decision‑making process behind the layoffs and how the company plans to move forward. As of now, no public statement from the studio or from Jesse Schell himself has been released, leaving the community to speculate about the future direction of the company. The layoffs at Schell Games serve as a sobering reminder that even well‑established developers are not immune to market forces.
While the company’s leadership has historically emphasized a people‑first approach, the reality of operating in a highly competitive and financially volatile environment sometimes forces difficult choices. Employees who have been let go are likely to carry forward valuable experience from working on high‑profile projects such as Among Us 3D and the I Expect You to Die series, and many will undoubtedly find new opportunities within the broader gaming ecosystem. For those remaining at Schell Games, the path ahead will involve navigating a leaner organizational structure, potentially taking on broader responsibilities, and contributing to a strategic realignment aimed at stabilizing the studio’s financial health.
The experience also highlights the importance of adaptability and resilience in the gaming industry, where change is constant and success often hinges on the ability to pivot quickly in response to market dynamics. In summary, Schell Games’ recent staff reductions reflect both internal challenges and external market pressures. While the move appears to contradict the CEO’s earlier public commitment to protecting jobs, it underscores the complex balancing act that game developers must perform between creative ambition, financial sustainability, and the well‑being of their teams. The industry will be watching closely to see how Schell Games recalibrates its strategy and whether it can uphold its reputation for innovative, employee‑centric development in the months and years to come.