Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has recently confirmed that it is cutting staff positions. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees began to appear, indicating that the layoffs started on the Friday before the report was published. Game Developer magazine cited several of these posts, which collectively paint a picture of an organization forced to make difficult personnel decisions despite a history of stable employment.
One of the most striking messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, “Schell Games had its first ever layoffs today,” noting that he himself was not among those let go. He went on to reassure his colleagues, stating, “This has happened not because of anything you did or didn’t do. Our industry – and indeed the broader economy – is hemorrhaging right now.” The impact of the cuts was confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr., who disclosed that the marketing department was among those affected. He listed four individuals whose positions were eliminated.
Further details emerged from the studio’s senior public relations manager, who identified additional employees from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also impacted. When the numbers are tallied, it appears that roughly fourteen staff members have been let go, a significant proportion given the company’s publicly listed size of between 51 and 200 employees on its LinkedIn profile. The public relations manager expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt LinkedIn post.
“I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years,” she 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.” Her words reflect a common sentiment among those who have been part of the studio’s growth: a sense of accomplishment tempered by the abruptness of the departure. These layoffs are particularly noteworthy because they run counter to the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long positioned the company as a firm opponent of job cuts.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from employment risk. 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.” He continued, “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.” The contrast between Schell’s stated commitment and the reality of the recent cuts raises questions about the pressures facing mid‑size game developers in today’s market.
The video‑game industry has been experiencing a period of volatility, with rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and an increasingly competitive landscape. Many studios have reported revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, or the need to pivot to new business models such as live‑service games or subscription platforms. These macro‑economic forces often force even well‑intentioned companies to reconsider staffing levels in order to preserve cash flow and ensure long‑term viability. Industry observers note that Schell Games is not alone in this trend.
Over the past year, a number of studios across North America and Europe have announced similar reductions, citing everything from project cancellations to broader market downturns. While some companies have opted for temporary furloughs or reduced hours, others, like Schell Games, have taken the more drastic step of permanent layoffs. For the employees who remain, the situation presents both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, the loss of colleagues can increase workloads and create uncertainty about future project timelines.
On the other hand, it can also open up space for remaining staff to take on new responsibilities, develop fresh skill sets, and influence the direction of upcoming titles. The studio’s leadership will need to manage morale carefully, communicate transparently about the company’s financial health, and outline a clear roadmap for upcoming projects to retain talent and maintain productivity.
The broader community has responded with empathy and support. Fellow developers, industry veterans, and fans have taken to social media to express solidarity with the affected workers, offering networking assistance, freelance opportunities, and words of encouragement.
Such collective goodwill underscores the tight‑knit nature of the game‑development ecosystem, where professional relationships often extend beyond a single studio. As of now, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs, seeking clarification on the factors that led to this decision and how the company plans to navigate the post‑layoff environment. Until a formal response is received, the narrative remains built on employee testimonies and the company’s publicly available information.
In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its innovative contributions to interactive entertainment, has undergone its first round of workforce reductions, affecting approximately fourteen individuals across various departments. The cuts come despite CEO Jesse Schell’s previously vocal opposition to job eliminations, highlighting the complex and often unpredictable financial realities confronting game developers today. The affected staff members have expressed both disappointment and pride in their tenure, while the remaining team faces the task of rebuilding momentum amid a challenging industry climate.