Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular social deduction game Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has recently confirmed that it is cutting staff positions. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting a broader report from Game Developer that detailed the timeline and scope of the reductions. The first public indication of the cuts came on a Friday, when the studio’s principal engineering manager shared a brief but telling update.
"Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today," the manager wrote, noting that they themselves had not been among those let go. The post quickly gathered attention, as the manager added a sobering note about the broader context: "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 that the layoffs are a symptom of a larger, industry‑wide financial strain rather than a reflection of individual performance.
Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, who disclosed that the marketing department was among those affected. Waite Jr. went on to name four specific colleagues who were part of the reduction, offering a personal glimpse into the human side of the decision.
In addition, the studio’s senior public relations manager posted a separate update that listed additional names from the art, design, and visual effects teams, indicating that the cuts spanned multiple disciplines within the company. Compiling the information from these LinkedIn posts suggests that approximately fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs. This figure is notable when compared with the studio’s publicly listed size; Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile indicates a workforce ranging from 51 to 200 staff members. Even at the upper end of that range, a reduction of fourteen people represents a meaningful percentage of the team, especially for a studio that has historically emphasized a collaborative, tight‑knit culture.
One of the employees who shared their experience was the senior public relations manager, who expressed a mixture of 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." This sentiment captures the bittersweet nature of the situation: while the departure is undoubtedly painful, there remains a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for the collaborative work that was achieved over the years.
The timing of the layoffs is particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and CEO, 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." This statement suggested a strong commitment to preserving staff even in the face of uncertain revenue streams, making the recent cuts appear contradictory to that earlier promise. The disparity between Schell’s earlier assurances and the current reality has prompted speculation within the industry.
Some observers suggest that the broader economic environment—characterized by reduced consumer spending on entertainment, rising development costs, and a lingering post‑pandemic market correction—has forced even studios with a historically employee‑first ethos to reconsider their staffing models. Others point to the increasing competition in the indie and mid‑tier game markets, where securing publishing deals and maintaining cash flow can be especially volatile. It is also worth noting that Schell Games has a diverse portfolio that includes educational titles, VR experiences, and contract work for major brands. While this diversification has historically provided a buffer against market swings, the recent downturn may have impacted multiple revenue streams simultaneously, tightening the studio’s financial leeway.
In such a scenario, even a company that previously pledged not to lay off staff might find itself compelled to make difficult decisions to ensure long‑term viability. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment on the layoffs and on how the recent actions align with the company’s previously stated philosophy regarding employee security. As of now, no official response has been published, leaving the industry to await further clarification from the studio’s leadership. In summary, Schell Games—renowned for its innovative contributions to both mainstream and niche gaming experiences—has announced its first round of layoffs, affecting roughly fourteen employees across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects.
The cuts come amid an industry-wide financial crunch and appear to contrast with CEO Jesse Schell’s earlier public commitment to safeguarding jobs regardless of fiscal pressures. While the affected staff members express both disappointment and pride in their tenure, the broader community watches closely to see how the studio will navigate the challenging market environment moving forward.