Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for producing the acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of staff reductions. The news emerged after several employees took to LinkedIn to share their personal experiences of the layoffs, which appear to have started last Friday, according to a report from Game Developer. One of the first public acknowledgments came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games had conducted its inaugural round of layoffs that day. The manager clarified that they themselves had not been dismissed, and they added a heartfelt note to the community: "This isn’t a result of any individual actions.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is bleeding heavily." The announcement was reinforced by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr., who confirmed that the cuts also impacted the marketing department. He went on to list four colleagues who were directly affected.
In a separate LinkedIn update, the senior public‑relations manager for the studio disclosed additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the downsizing spanned multiple disciplines within the company. Compiling the information from these posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been laid off in total. This figure is notable given Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile, which lists the company’s headcount as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members.
If the higher end of that range is accurate, the layoffs represent a noticeable, though not catastrophic, percentage of the workforce. The 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.
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 sentiment captures both the personal impact of the job loss and the professional satisfaction derived from contributing to the studio’s creative output. These layoffs are particularly striking in light of CEO and founder Jesse Schell’s long‑standing public position against cutting jobs. 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.
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 remarks suggest a commitment to preserving staff even during periods of financial uncertainty, a stance that has now been called into question by the recent reductions. The discrepancy between the company’s stated values and the reality of the layoffs has sparked discussion among industry observers, who note that the broader gaming sector is currently experiencing a wave of cost‑cutting measures.
The timing of Schell Games’ layoffs aligns with a larger trend of contraction across the video‑game industry, where many studios have announced workforce reductions in response to shifting market dynamics, rising development costs, and the lingering effects of the pandemic‑induced boom. Analysts point to a "hemorrhaging" market, where consumer spending patterns have become more cautious and publishers are tightening budgets, forcing even mid‑size developers to reassess staffing levels. While the exact financial pressures facing Schell Games have not been disclosed, the company’s portfolio of projects—including the successful I Expect You to Die VR series and collaborations on high‑profile titles—suggests it has a diversified revenue stream.
Nonetheless, the decision to lay off staff indicates that the studio may be confronting cash‑flow challenges or strategic pivots that necessitate a leaner operational model. For the employees affected, the transition is likely to involve navigating severance packages, potential outplacement services, and the emotional toll of leaving a workplace where they have invested years of creative effort. The senior public‑relations manager’s comment about walking away proud underscores a common narrative among displaced workers: the desire to retain a sense of professional dignity even as they face an uncertain job market. Industry watchers are awaiting a formal response from Schell Games.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to the studio for comment, but as of this writing no official statement beyond the employee‑generated posts has been released. The situation remains fluid, and further details may emerge regarding the specific roles eliminated, the departments most impacted, and any plans the studio may have for rehiring or restructuring in the future. In the broader context, Schell Games’ layoffs serve as a microcosm of the challenges confronting many mid‑size development houses.
Balancing creative ambition with fiscal responsibility is an ongoing struggle, especially when external market forces exert pressure on revenue streams. As the industry continues to evolve, studios will need to find innovative ways to sustain their teams while delivering compelling experiences to players.
For now, the affected employees and the remaining staff at Schell Games will have to navigate this period of change together, hoping that the company’s commitment to its people—expressed in past interviews—will translate into supportive measures during the transition. The gaming community will be watching closely to see how Schell Games adapts and whether it can uphold the values its founder has publicly championed.