Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly begun a round of staff reductions. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, a development first reported by Game Developer. The first public indication came from the studio's principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company had conducted its inaugural layoff round on a Friday.
The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go and emphasized that the decision was not tied to any individual’s performance. "This has happened not because of anything you did or didn’t do. Our industry – and the broader entertainment sector – is hemorrhaging right now," the post read. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games' marketing director, who disclosed that the marketing department was directly affected and even named four colleagues who were part of the cut.
In addition, the senior public relations manager at the studio added names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, painting a broader picture of the impact. Compiling the information from these various posts suggests that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the reductions. While Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, the exact proportion of the total staff affected remains unclear. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mix of disappointment and pride in a reflective LinkedIn update.
"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." The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long advocated against cutting jobs. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from staff security. 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." Schell’s comments underscored a commitment to protect employees even when projects underperform financially. He suggested that the studio would rather absorb monetary losses than jeopardize its workforce, a stance that resonated with many in the industry who view job security as a critical component of a healthy development environment.
The recent cuts, however, appear to contradict that philosophy, prompting speculation about the underlying factors that forced the studio’s hand. Industry analysts point to a broader downturn in the gaming market, where rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and the lingering effects of a post‑pandemic slowdown have placed pressure on many mid‑size developers.
The phrase "hemorrhaging" used by the engineering manager reflects a sentiment echoed across the sector: revenue streams are tightening, and studios are grappling with how to sustain operations without sacrificing talent. Schell Games has not yet issued an official statement addressing the layoffs, and GamesIndustry.biz has reached out for comment. The lack of a direct response leaves room for speculation about whether the company plans to restructure its business model, pivot to new types of projects, or perhaps seek external investment to shore up its finances. For the employees who remain, the future may involve a period of uncertainty as the studio recalibrates its priorities.
Some may be reassigned to different projects, while others could see changes in their roles or responsibilities. The company’s size, as indicated by its LinkedIn range, suggests that even a reduction of fourteen staff members could represent a noticeable shift in team dynamics, especially in specialized departments like art and visual effects where each contributor plays a pivotal role. From a broader perspective, Schell Games’ situation serves as a microcosm of the challenges facing independent and mid‑tier developers today. While the industry continues to produce blockbuster titles and generate record revenues, the distribution of that wealth is uneven.
Smaller studios often operate on thin margins, making them vulnerable to market fluctuations. The tension between maintaining creative integrity, delivering profitable products, and safeguarding employee livelihoods remains a delicate balancing act. Looking ahead, the company’s leadership will likely need to communicate transparently with the remaining staff, outlining a clear roadmap for recovery and growth. Reassuring the workforce about job stability, outlining any strategic pivots, and perhaps offering professional development opportunities could help mitigate morale issues that typically arise after layoffs.
In summary, Schell Games, known for its innovative contributions to the gaming world, has entered a difficult phase marked by its first-ever staff cuts. While the precise reasons behind the decision are still being pieced together, the prevailing narrative points to broader industry headwinds and financial pressures.
The move stands in contrast to the CEO’s previously vocal commitment to protecting jobs, highlighting the complex realities that even well‑intentioned studios must navigate in today’s volatile market. The story remains unfolding, and further updates from Schell Games or its representatives will shed more light on the path forward for the studio and its remaining team members.