Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for producing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has recently been forced to trim its workforce. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer and other industry outlets. The first public indication of the cuts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who shared a brief but candid update on his LinkedIn feed on a Friday morning.
He wrote, “Schell Games had its first ever layoffs today,” and clarified that he himself was not among those let go. He went on to reassure his network that the reductions were not tied to any personal performance issues, stating, “This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging.” Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, who disclosed that the marketing department had been directly impacted.
He listed four colleagues who were part of the reduction and expressed empathy for their situation. In addition, the senior public relations manager for Schell Games posted a separate update that named several individuals from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also affected. Compiling the various posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been laid off. This figure is notable given the studio’s self‑reported headcount of between 51 and 200 staff members on its LinkedIn company page, indicating that the cuts represent a modest but still significant percentage of the overall workforce.
One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, offered a reflective comment on the experience. “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 underscores a mixture of sadness at the departure and gratitude for the collaborative achievements made during their tenure. The layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long advocated against job cuts. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized 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 added that even if the studio’s own intellectual property generated no revenue, the company would still aim to preserve staff positions, describing it as a deliberate choice rather than a forced necessity. This apparent contradiction between the CEO’s stated values and the reality of the recent reductions has prompted questions within the industry about the pressures facing mid‑size developers. The broader gaming market has been experiencing a downturn, with many publishers reporting lower-than‑expected sales, delayed releases, and shrinking budgets.
These macro‑economic forces have created a “hemorrhaging” environment, as the engineering manager put it, forcing studios of all sizes to reassess staffing levels and operational costs. Analysts note that while Schell Games has a reputation for innovative, narrative‑driven experiences, it also operates in a highly competitive segment where development timelines can be long and revenue streams unpredictable.
The company’s portfolio includes both original IP and contract work for larger brands, meaning that fluctuations in external contracts can have a direct impact on cash flow. When cash flow tightens, even studios with strong ethical commitments to their employees may be compelled to make difficult personnel decisions. The public response to the layoffs has been mixed.
Some former and current employees have expressed support for the company’s transparency, praising the leadership for communicating the situation openly on social media rather than allowing rumors to spread. Others have voiced disappointment, pointing to Jesse Schell’s earlier assurances that jobs would never be jeopardized as a promise that now appears unattainable. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and on how the company plans to navigate the ongoing financial challenges. As of this writing, no response has been received, leaving the industry to speculate on the next steps for the studio.
Some observers suggest that Schell Games may seek additional funding, explore strategic partnerships, or pivot toward projects with lower development risk to stabilize its finances. In the meantime, the affected employees are beginning the transition to new opportunities. The senior public relations manager’s statement reflects a broader sentiment among many laid‑off workers in the tech and gaming sectors: despite the abrupt ending, there is a sense of pride in the work completed and optimism about future prospects. The gaming community, known for its tight‑knit networks, often rallies around displaced talent, offering freelance gigs, contract roles, or full‑time positions at other studios.
Overall, the situation at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of the challenges confronting the wider gaming industry. Even studios with strong brand identities and a commitment to employee welfare are not immune to market pressures. As the sector continues to evolve, balancing financial sustainability with the promise of job security remains a delicate act—one that will likely shape the strategies of many developers in the months and years ahead.