Schell Games, the development 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 franchise, has reportedly been forced to trim its workforce. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees detailed a wave of layoffs that began late last week. According to coverage by Game Developer, several staff members posted about the cuts, confirming that the reductions started on Friday.
One of the messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games experienced its first ever layoffs today," noting that they themselves were not among those let go. The manager added a broader perspective, stating, "This isn’t a result of any individual’s actions.
Our sector is currently losing ground dramatically," a sentiment that reflects the broader challenges facing the video‑game industry at large. The marketing division also felt the impact. Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, posted that members of his team were among those affected and went on to name four specific individuals who were losing their positions. In a similar vein, the senior public‑relations manager for Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, indicating that the cuts were not confined to a single functional area but spanned multiple disciplines within the studio.
Based on the publicly shared information, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs. This figure is notable when compared with the studio’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members.
Whether the exact number is at the lower or upper end of that range, a reduction of fourteen people represents a significant proportion of the team, especially for a company that has historically emphasized stability and long‑term employment. One of the affected staff members, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective LinkedIn post. "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 statement underscores both the personal impact of the layoffs and the sense of community that many employees felt during their tenure at Schell Games. The timing of the layoffs is especially striking given the public stance that Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, 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’ livelihoods. He said, "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 suggested a commitment to protecting staff even in lean periods, making the recent cuts appear contradictory to his earlier assurances. The discrepancy between the stated policy and the reality on the ground has prompted speculation among industry observers about the underlying factors that may have forced the studio’s hand.
Some analysts point to the broader market contraction that has been affecting many mid‑size developers, citing reduced consumer spending, rising development costs, and a slowdown in publishing deals as possible contributors. The video‑game sector has indeed been experiencing a period of turbulence over the past year. Revenue growth has slowed, and several high‑profile studios have announced similar workforce reductions, citing the need to align operating expenses with a more uncertain revenue outlook.
In this environment, even studios that have historically prioritized employee stability may find themselves compelled to make difficult decisions to preserve the long‑term viability of the business. While Schell Games has not yet issued an official statement beyond the individual posts shared by its employees, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out for comment.
The lack of a formal response leaves room for further speculation about the company’s strategic direction, potential restructuring plans, or upcoming project pipelines that might influence future hiring practices. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its innovative contributions to both casual and immersive gaming experiences, is navigating a challenging period marked by its first-ever layoffs. Approximately fourteen team members across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects have been let go, reflecting a broader industry trend of workforce contraction. The layoffs stand in contrast to CEO Jesse Schell’s previously articulated commitment to safeguarding jobs, highlighting the complex balance between financial stewardship and employee security in today’s volatile market.
The situation remains fluid, and further updates are likely as the studio assesses its next steps and communicates with both its remaining staff and the wider gaming community.