Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for the award‑winning I Expect You to Die series, has confirmed that it is cutting staff positions. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees indicated that the company began laying off workers last Friday, according to a report published by Game Developer.
One of the first posts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today," noting that they themselves were not among those whose contracts were terminated. The manager added a candid explanation: "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The phrase captures a broader sense of uncertainty that has been sweeping through the video‑game sector, where declining consumer spending, rising production costs, and a tightening of investment capital have left many developers scrambling to stay afloat. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who disclosed that the reductions also affected the marketing department.
He identified four individuals who were let go, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers. In a separate LinkedIn note, the senior public‑relations manager listed additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, suggesting that the layoffs were not confined to a single function but spanned several core areas of the company. Based on the collective posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted.
This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists its headcount as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, meaning the cuts represent a meaningful percentage of the workforce. The public‑relations manager, reflecting on the experience, wrote, "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 underscores the bittersweet nature of the situation: while the layoffs are undoubtedly painful, many departing employees still feel a sense of pride and gratitude for their contributions. The timing of these reductions is particularly striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has been an outspoken advocate against job cuts in the industry. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees.
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 reflected a broader industry conversation about sustainable development practices. Many studios have experimented with "no‑layoff" policies, opting instead to scale back on project scope, delay releases, or seek alternative revenue streams such as live‑service models or licensing deals.
The idea is to protect the livelihood of the team even when market conditions turn sour. However, the recent layoffs at Schell Games suggest that even well‑intentioned policies can be strained when external pressures mount. The video‑game market has faced a series of headwinds over the past few years. The rapid rise of mobile and cloud gaming has shifted consumer expectations, while the cost of producing high‑quality, narrative‑driven experiences has continued to climb.
At the same time, macro‑economic factors—such as inflation, reduced discretionary spending, and tighter credit markets—have limited the amount of capital available for new projects. For mid‑size studios like Schell Games, which balance original intellectual property with contract work for larger publishers, these dynamics can create a precarious financial balancing act. Industry analysts note that layoffs are often a symptom of a larger restructuring effort. Companies may be consolidating teams, outsourcing certain functions, or reallocating resources toward projects with higher projected returns.
In the case of Schell Games, the affected roles span engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects, indicating a cross‑departmental realignment rather than a narrow focus on any single discipline. While GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment on the recent cuts, no official statement has been released at the time of writing.
The lack of a formal response leaves room for speculation about the studio’s future direction. Some observers wonder whether the company will pivot more heavily toward contract work for external partners, a strategy that can provide steadier cash flow but may limit creative autonomy.
Others hope that Schell Games will eventually rebound by leveraging its strong reputation for innovative, immersive experiences to secure new publishing deals or investor support. For the employees who remain, the situation is likely to be a mix of uncertainty and opportunity.
Surviving staff may be asked to take on additional responsibilities, adopt new workflows, or contribute to a reshaped product roadmap. In many cases, such transitions can foster a tighter, more resilient team culture, albeit at the cost of increased workload and stress. The broader lesson from Schell Games’ layoffs is that even studios with a clear ethical stance on employment security are not immune to market forces. As the industry continues to evolve, developers will need to balance creative ambition with fiscal prudence, ensuring that they can weather downturns without compromising the well‑being of their teams.
The story of Schell Games serves as a reminder that the promise of job stability is contingent upon a complex web of factors—consumer trends, funding availability, and strategic choices—all of which can shift rapidly in the fast‑moving world of interactive entertainment. In conclusion, the recent staff reductions at Schell Games highlight the fragile equilibrium that many mid‑size game developers must maintain. While the company’s leadership has historically championed a no‑layoff philosophy, the current economic climate appears to have forced a difficult decision.
The affected employees have expressed both disappointment and pride in their contributions, and the remaining team faces the challenge of navigating a restructured organization. As the industry watches, the hope is that Schell Games will emerge from this period with a sustainable model that honors its commitment to both creative excellence and employee security.