Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has recently been forced to cut its workforce. The news broke after a series of LinkedIn updates from current employees indicated that the company began laying off staff as early as last Friday.
The information first surfaced in an article published by Game Developer, which cited several public posts made by Schell Games personnel. One of the most notable 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, emphasizing that the decision was not a reflection of any employee’s performance. "This isn’t a result of any individual actions.
Our industry (and the broader market) is currently bleeding heavily," the manager added, echoing a sentiment that many in the gaming sector have expressed over the past several months. The phrase "hemorrhaging" has become a common descriptor for the financial strain that developers, publishers, and service providers are feeling as consumer spending patterns shift and funding sources tighten. Further confirmation came from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who disclosed that the cuts also impacted the marketing department. He went on to name four specific employees who were affected, providing a personal face to the otherwise abstract numbers.
In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared a list of colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also part of the layoff wave. Based on the aggregated posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen individuals have been let go in this round of reductions.
While Schell Games lists its total headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 employees on its LinkedIn company page, the exact proportion of the workforce impacted remains uncertain. Nonetheless, the loss of fourteen staff members represents a noticeable contraction for a studio of this size.
The public relations manager, who also posted about the layoffs, 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 many layoffs in creative industries: while the termination itself is a hardship, the relationships and achievements built over years often leave departing employees with a sense of lasting value.
The timing of these layoffs is particularly striking given the public stance that Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, has taken on the issue of job security. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees.
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 went on to explain that even if the studio’s own intellectual property were to generate no revenue, the company would still strive to keep its staff employed, describing this approach as a deliberate choice rather than a default outcome. "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 layoffs therefore appear to contradict the earlier public commitments made by the studio’s leadership. While the broader market conditions—such as reduced ad spend, a slowdown in consumer discretionary spending, and the lingering effects of the post‑pandemic adjustment period—have placed many developers in difficult positions, the contrast between Schell’s stated philosophy and the current reality has drawn attention.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the matter, but as of the time of writing, no response has been received. The lack of a direct statement leaves room for speculation about the internal decision‑making process that led to the cuts. Some analysts suggest that even studios with strong ethical commitments may be forced to make tough choices when cash flow becomes constrained, especially if they have ongoing development cycles that require significant upfront investment.
In the wider context, Schell Games’ layoffs are part of a larger trend affecting the gaming industry throughout 2024 and into 2025. Numerous mid‑size studios have announced similar reductions, citing factors such as delayed releases, shifting platform priorities, and the increasing cost of high‑fidelity production. While larger publishers with deep pockets can often absorb short‑term losses, smaller and independent studios frequently operate on tighter margins, making them more vulnerable to market volatility. For the employees who have been let go, the situation is undoubtedly challenging.
However, the gaming community often rallies around displaced talent, offering freelance opportunities, contract work, or positions at other studios seeking experienced developers, artists, and marketers. Networking platforms, industry events, and alumni groups can serve as valuable resources for those navigating this transition. Looking ahead, Schell Games will need to reassess its financial strategy and possibly explore alternative revenue streams, such as expanding its portfolio of educational titles, pursuing licensing deals, or increasing its focus on live‑service models that can generate more predictable income. Maintaining transparency with remaining staff and reinforcing a culture of resilience will be essential to rebuilding morale and ensuring the studio can continue to deliver innovative experiences.
In summary, Schell Games—renowned for its contributions to both entertainment and educational gaming—has announced its first ever round of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects. The decision comes amid a broader industry downturn and appears to diverge from the CEO’s previously stated commitment to protecting jobs at all costs.
While the full impact on the studio’s future remains to be seen, the episode underscores the fragile balance between creative ambition and financial sustainability in today’s gaming landscape.