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 reportedly undertaken a round of staff reductions. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn posts from current and former employees began to surface, indicating that the layoffs started early last week. According to coverage from Game Developer, several team members used the professional networking site to share personal accounts of the cuts.
One such post 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, emphasizing that the decision was not a reflection of individual performance. The engineering manager went on to explain the broader context, stating, “This isn’t a result of anything you did or didn’t do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is bleeding heavily.” The phrasing underscores a sentiment that the downturn is systemic, affecting not just one company but the entire gaming ecosystem and related sectors. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who acknowledged that the marketing department was directly impacted. He listed four colleagues who were affected, providing a human face to the numbers.
In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual effects teams, suggesting that the cuts were spread across multiple disciplines rather than being confined to a single function. Based on the collective information from these posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by the layoffs. This figure is notable when compared to the company’s publicly listed size on its LinkedIn profile, which indicates a workforce ranging from 51 to 200 staff members.
Even at the lower end of that range, a reduction of fourteen people represents a significant percentage of the team. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt message. “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 both the personal impact of the layoffs and the professional fulfillment that can still be derived from a meaningful tenure. The timing of these cuts is particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, on the subject of job security. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods.
He stated, “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 that even if the studio’s own intellectual property generated no revenue, the company would still aim to preserve its workforce, saying, “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 rhetoric has been a cornerstone of the studio’s public image, positioning Schell Games as a company that values its people above short‑term financial calculations.
The recent layoffs, therefore, appear to stand in contrast to that declared philosophy, prompting questions about the underlying pressures that led to this decision. While the exact financial details remain private, the broader industry context offers some clues. The gaming sector has been experiencing a period of volatility, with rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and macro‑economic headwinds such as inflation and reduced discretionary spending. These factors have contributed to a “hemorrhaging” effect that many developers have described in recent months.
In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on how the company reconciles its stated commitment to job security with the recent workforce reductions. As of now, no official statement has been released beyond the employee‑generated posts. The episode at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of a larger trend affecting mid‑size studios worldwide. While larger publishers often have the financial buffers to weather market downturns, smaller and mid‑scale developers frequently operate on tighter margins, making them more vulnerable to sudden shifts in revenue streams or funding availability.
The industry’s ongoing consolidation, the rise of live‑service models, and the increasing importance of cross‑platform releases have all contributed to an environment where maintaining a stable headcount is increasingly challenging. For the individuals impacted, the transition may involve navigating severance packages, seeking new opportunities within a competitive job market, and leveraging the experience gained at a respected studio like Schell Games. Many former employees are likely to highlight their involvement in high‑profile projects such as Among Us 3D and the I Expect You to Die series on their résumés, which could aid in securing future positions. In summary, Schell Games has confirmed that it has undertaken its first ever round of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen staff members across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects.
The cuts come amid a broader industry downturn that has been described as a hemorrhaging of talent and resources. While the company’s founder has historically championed a philosophy of protecting jobs, the current economic climate appears to have forced a reevaluation of that stance.
The full impact of these layoffs on the studio’s future projects and its cultural identity remains to be seen, but the situation underscores the precarious balance that many game developers must maintain between creative ambition and financial sustainability.