Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit *Among Us* and for developing the critically acclaimed *I Expect You to Die* series, has recently confirmed that it is cutting personnel. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer magazine.
The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted on Friday that Schell Games was undergoing its inaugural round of layoffs. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go and emphasized that the reductions were not a reflection of individual performance. "This isn’t a result of anything you did or didn’t do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," the post read, echoing a sentiment that many in the broader gaming sector have expressed amid a period of financial strain.
Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who identified members of the marketing team as part of the affected group and named four specific individuals who would be departing. In addition, the studio’s senior public relations manager shared a longer list that included colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments. By tallying the names mentioned across these posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the cuts.
The company’s LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 employees, suggesting that the layoffs represent a noticeable but not catastrophic proportion of the overall staff. Nonetheless, for those directly affected, the experience marks a sobering conclusion to their tenure at Schell Games. The senior public relations manager 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." The timing of the layoffs is particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, on job security. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees.
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.
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 protecting staff even during lean periods, making the recent cuts appear contradictory to his earlier assurances. The discrepancy has sparked discussion among industry observers about the pressures facing mid‑size developers, especially those that balance innovative, experience‑driven titles with the volatility of market demand. The broader context of these layoffs is worth noting.
The video‑game industry has been experiencing a wave of restructuring and downsizing across multiple regions, driven by factors such as rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models, and macro‑economic uncertainty. Studios that once enjoyed steady revenue streams from premium releases are now grappling with the need to diversify income, adopt new monetisation strategies, or simply weather periods of lower sales. In this environment, even companies that have historically championed employee stability can find themselves forced to make difficult personnel decisions. For Schell Games, the impact of the layoffs may extend beyond the immediate loss of staff.
The studio’s reputation for fostering a collaborative, creative workplace has been a key component of its brand identity. Maintaining morale among remaining employees, preserving project momentum, and reassuring partners and investors will be essential steps in the weeks ahead. The leadership team will likely need to communicate a clear roadmap for how the company intends to navigate the current financial climate while staying true to its core values.
Industry analysts suggest that companies in similar positions might explore several strategies to mitigate future layoffs. These can include diversifying their project portfolio to include both original IP and contract work, seeking strategic partnerships or co‑development deals, and implementing more flexible staffing models such as temporary contracts or freelance talent pools.
By spreading risk across multiple revenue streams, studios can reduce the likelihood that a single underperforming title will jeopardise the entire workforce. In the meantime, the affected employees are navigating the transition with a mixture of disappointment and gratitude. Many have expressed appreciation for the opportunities they received at Schell Games and have highlighted the supportive culture they experienced during their tenure. Their public statements, while acknowledging the abrupt ending, also underscore a sense of pride in the work they contributed to beloved games that have resonated with players worldwide.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and on how the company plans to align its operational practices with the public commitments previously articulated by its founder. Until a formal response is received, the situation serves as a reminder that even studios with a strong legacy of employee advocacy are not immune to the financial realities that shape the modern gaming landscape. Overall, the episode at Schell Games reflects a broader industry trend where economic pressures are prompting even well‑regarded developers to reassess staffing levels.
While the immediate impact on the fourteen individuals is tangible, the longer‑term implications for the studio’s culture, project pipeline, and market positioning remain to be seen. Stakeholders, from remaining staff to partners and fans, will be watching closely to see how Schell Games adapts and whether it can uphold the values it has long espoused while navigating an increasingly uncertain economic environment.