Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular social deduction game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You To Die series, has recently confirmed that it is reducing its workforce. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from employees at the company began to surface, indicating that the layoffs started on a Friday earlier this week.
Game Developer magazine reported on the situation, citing multiple posts from staff members who described the sudden cuts. One of the first to speak up was the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that Schell Games had experienced its inaugural round of layoffs that day. The manager emphasized that the decision was not a reflection of 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." The impact of the reductions was further confirmed by Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director.
Waite identified members of the marketing team among those let go and even listed four individuals who were directly affected. In addition, the senior public relations manager for Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, painting a broader picture of the cuts across multiple disciplines. Based on the information gathered from these public posts, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs.
This figure is notable given the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its total headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members. In other words, the layoffs represent a meaningful percentage of the studio’s overall workforce. The public relations manager, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt LinkedIn comment.
"I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years," the manager 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 timing of these layoffs is especially striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has long been vocal about his opposition to job cuts.
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." Schell elaborated further, noting that even if a proprietary intellectual property failed to generate revenue, the studio would still avoid endangering its staff’s employment. "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," he said. The recent reductions therefore appear to contradict the public stance that Jesse Schell has championed for years. While the broader video‑game industry has been grappling with a series of economic headwinds—including rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and a slowdown in discretionary spending—Schell Games’ decision underscores how even studios that have historically prioritized employee stability are not immune to market pressures.
Industry analysts point out that the current climate is marked by what many describe as a "post‑pandemic correction," where the surge in game development and publishing activity that characterized the early 2020s has given way to more cautious budgeting and tighter profit margins. Companies are increasingly scrutinizing project pipelines, re‑evaluating the viability of new IP, and, in some cases, scaling back on staffing to preserve cash flow.
For Schell Games, the challenge will be to navigate this turbulent period while staying true to its creative vision and the values that have defined its brand. The studio has built a reputation for producing immersive, story‑driven experiences that blend physical interaction with digital gameplay—a niche that has resonated with both families and serious gamers alike. Maintaining that level of innovation may require strategic pivots, such as focusing on smaller‑scale projects, seeking co‑development partnerships, or exploring alternative revenue streams like licensing and educational content.
Employees who remain at the studio are likely to face a period of heightened uncertainty, as they adjust to a leaner organizational structure and potentially take on additional responsibilities. However, the public statements from the departing staff suggest a strong sense of community and mutual respect that could help sustain morale during the transition. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and on how the company plans to address the concerns raised by both staff and the wider gaming community.
As the situation continues to develop, observers will be watching closely to see whether Schell Games can reconcile its long‑standing commitment to job security with the harsh economic realities confronting the industry today.