Schell Games, the development studio best known for its work on the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs affecting several members of its staff. The news broke after Game Developer magazine cited a series of LinkedIn updates posted by current and former employees of the studio.
These posts detailed that the layoff process began on a Friday and was the first of its kind in the company’s history. One of the most prominent messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the layoffs were occurring for reasons unrelated to any individual employee’s performance. “Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today,” the manager posted, adding that they themselves had not been among those let go.
“This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging.” The marketing division also felt the impact. Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, confirmed that members of his team were among those dismissed and went on to name four specific individuals who were affected. In a separate update, the senior public‑relations manager of Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, indicating that the cuts were spread across multiple disciplines rather than being confined to a single function.
Based on the cumulative information from these posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the reductions. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile lists the company’s headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 employees, suggesting that the layoffs represent a significant percentage of the workforce. One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective comment.
“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 underscores the emotional weight that such workforce changes can carry, particularly in a creative industry where collaboration and long‑term relationships are central to success. The timing of the layoffs is especially striking because it appears to run counter to the public position taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long advocated against job cuts. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized that the studio strives to separate financial risk from the risk to its 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 further elaborated on his philosophy, stating that even if the studio’s own intellectual property generated no revenue, the company would still aim to preserve its staff. “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 apparent contradiction between Schell’s stated commitment to job security and the recent layoffs has prompted questions about the broader health of the video‑game sector. Many analysts point to a “hemorrhaging” trend across the industry, with numerous mid‑size studios experiencing revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, and shifting market dynamics that make it difficult to sustain pre‑pandemic staffing levels.
The rapid rise of live‑service models, the increasing cost of high‑fidelity production, and the volatility of consumer spending all contribute to an environment where even well‑established developers may need to adjust their headcounts. In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on how the layoffs align with the company’s previously articulated policies. As of the time of writing, no official statement from the studio’s leadership has been released, leaving the community to speculate on the internal factors that may have driven the decision.
The broader implications of this development extend beyond Schell Games itself. The studio’s layoffs serve as a microcosm of the challenges facing many mid‑tier developers who must balance creative ambition with fiscal responsibility. While the company has a reputation for producing innovative, narrative‑driven experiences, the current market pressures highlight the precarious nature of funding and revenue streams in an industry that is simultaneously expanding and consolidating.
For employees who remain at Schell Games, the future may involve a period of restructuring, reallocation of responsibilities, and a renewed focus on projects that can deliver both critical acclaim and financial viability. The studio’s leadership will likely need to communicate a clear roadmap to reassure staff and stakeholders alike, emphasizing how upcoming titles or partnerships might offset the financial strain that precipitated the layoffs.
In summary, Schell Games has announced its first ever round of staff reductions, affecting an estimated fourteen individuals across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects. The cuts come despite the CEO’s previously vocal stance against job cuts, prompting industry observers to question how the broader economic challenges facing the gaming sector are influencing even those studios that have historically prioritized employee security.
The situation remains fluid, and further updates from Schell Games are anticipated as the company navigates this difficult transition.