Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly begun a round of layoffs affecting several of its employees. The news first surfaced in a piece published by Game Developer, which cited a series of LinkedIn updates posted by members of the company’s staff. These posts detailed that the layoff process started on the Friday before the article’s release and that a number of team members had been informed that their positions were being eliminated.
One of the most striking messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games experienced its first ever layoffs today." The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they added a note of empathy for their colleagues: "This isn’t a result of any individual’s actions. The whole industry (and beyond) is currently bleeding heavily." The marketing department also felt the impact. Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, confirmed that cuts hit the marketing team and went on to name four individuals who were directly affected.
In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared further details, listing several colleagues from the art, design, and visual effects divisions who were part of the reduction. When the various posts are tallied together, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the cuts. This figure is notable given the size of the company: Schell Games lists itself on LinkedIn as employing somewhere between 51 and 200 people, placing it in the small‑to‑mid‑size range for independent game developers.
One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and gratitude in a heartfelt LinkedIn update. "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 layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public stance long taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized that the studio’s financial risk management philosophy is deliberately separated from any risk to its workforce.
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." Schell 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 suggested a commitment to preserving staff even in the face of financial uncertainty, making the recent round of layoffs appear contradictory.
The timing also coincides with broader industry turbulence. Over the past year, many game development studios have reported shrinking revenues, delayed releases, and a general slowdown in consumer spending on interactive entertainment.
The pandemic‑driven boom that buoyed many companies has largely subsided, and the sector is now grappling with a more cautious market environment. Analysts point out that the challenges are not limited to the gaming world. The entire tech and entertainment ecosystem is experiencing a contraction, with advertising budgets tightening and investors becoming more risk‑averse.
In such a climate, even studios that have historically prioritized employee security may find themselves forced to make difficult decisions to stay solvent. While Schell Games has not yet issued an official statement beyond the comments already captured in employee posts, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to the studio for comment.
As of now, no response has been published. The situation at Schell Games underscores a broader trend: the ideal of never laying off staff is increasingly hard to sustain when revenue streams fluctuate dramatically. For employees, the news serves as a reminder of the volatility inherent in creative industries, even for companies that have cultivated a reputation for stability and employee‑first policies.
For the broader community of developers and fans, the layoffs raise questions about how indie studios can balance financial prudence with the desire to protect their teams. Some observers suggest that diversification—such as expanding into education, licensing, or service‑based contracts—might provide a buffer against market swings. Others argue that more transparent communication about financial health could help set realistic expectations among staff. Regardless of the underlying causes, the impact on the fourteen individuals who lost their positions is tangible.
Many have expressed gratitude for the experiences they gained at Schell Games and optimism about finding new opportunities in a market that, while currently constrained, still values skilled creators. In summary, Schell Games, known for its innovative titles and a leadership philosophy that once emphasized job security, has announced its first wave of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects. The move reflects the broader pressures facing the gaming industry today, even as the studio’s founder previously pledged to keep jobs safe. The full ramifications for the company and its remaining staff will likely become clearer as the industry continues to navigate an uncertain economic landscape.