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 been forced to trim its workforce. According to a detailed report from Game Developer, a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees revealed that the company began laying off staff as early as last Friday. The first public indication of the cuts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games experienced "its first ever layoffs today." The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, emphasizing that the reductions were not a reflection of any personal performance issues. "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," the post read, underscoring the broader market turmoil that has been affecting many developers across the sector. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who disclosed that the marketing department was directly impacted.
He went on to name four colleagues who were part of the layoff wave. In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual effects teams, painting a picture of a cross‑departmental reduction that touched both creative and promotional functions.
Compiling the information from the various posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by the cuts. This figure is notable when compared to Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile, which lists the company’s size as ranging from 51 to 200 staff members.
While the exact proportion of the workforce that has been let go remains unclear, the numbers suggest a significant impact for a studio of this size. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt 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." This sentiment captures both the personal loss felt by those leaving and the professional satisfaction derived from contributing to Schell Games’ portfolio of innovative experiences.
The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has consistently spoken out against job cuts within the industry. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods. "At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk," he explained.
"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 reflect a broader industry conversation about how studios can balance the inevitable financial uncertainties of game development with a commitment to staff stability. Many developers have faced similar dilemmas in recent years, as the market has experienced a series of high‑profile failures, shifting consumer preferences, and the lingering effects of a post‑pandemic slowdown.
The term "hemorrhaging" used by the engineering manager encapsulates the severity of the current climate, where revenue streams are tightening and funding for mid‑size studios is becoming increasingly scarce. The situation at Schell Games also highlights the ripple effect of macro‑economic pressures on creative teams. When budgets are squeezed, studios often have to make tough decisions about which projects to prioritize, which features to cut, and, unfortunately, which roles to eliminate.
The layoffs have touched not only marketing and public relations but also essential creative functions such as art, design, and visual effects, indicating that the cuts were not limited to peripheral departments but affected core production capabilities as well. Industry analysts suggest that such reductions could be a pre‑emptive measure to preserve the company’s long‑term viability. By reducing headcount now, Schell Games may be aiming to lower operating costs, allowing it to weather the current downturn and position itself for future growth when market conditions improve.
However, this strategy also carries risks, including the potential loss of institutional knowledge, morale challenges for remaining staff, and the difficulty of rehiring talent once the market rebounds. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs, but as of this writing no response has been received. The lack of a direct statement from the leadership leaves room for speculation about the internal decision‑making process and the timeline for any possible rehiring or restructuring plans.
In summary, Schell Games—renowned for its inventive approach to immersive gaming experiences—has announced its first round of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across multiple departments. The cuts come amid a broader industry contraction that has forced many studios to reconsider their staffing levels. While the company’s founder has historically advocated for protecting jobs, the current economic pressures appear to have compelled a shift in strategy. The affected staff members have expressed both sorrow at the abrupt end to their tenure and pride in their contributions, reflecting the complex emotions that accompany such transitions.
As the industry continues to navigate uncertain financial waters, the fate of studios like Schell Games will likely serve as a bellwether for how mid‑size developers balance creative ambition with fiscal responsibility.