Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You To Die series, has reportedly been forced to reduce its workforce. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees revealed that the company began laying off staff as early as last Friday. The information was first highlighted in a piece by Game Developer, which cited multiple LinkedIn posts that painted a clear picture of the situation. One of the most striking messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted, "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today," noting that, fortunately, they themselves were not among those let go.
The manager went on to explain that the cuts were not a reflection of any personal performance issues, stating, "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." Further confirmation came from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who acknowledged that the marketing department was among those affected. He even identified four specific colleagues who were impacted by the reductions.
In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared a longer list of names, indicating that the layoffs extended into the art, design, and visual effects teams as well. Based on the collective posts, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been directly affected by the cuts. This figure is notable when compared to the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its total headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members. Even at the lower end of that range, a fourteen‑person reduction represents a significant percentage of the workforce.
One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, posted a reflective note that captured both disappointment and gratitude. "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 underscores the emotional toll that such layoffs can have, even when the individuals involved feel a sense of professional pride. The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken out against the practice of cutting jobs as a cost‑saving measure.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. 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." Schell elaborated further, noting that even if the studio’s own intellectual property were to generate no revenue, the company would still avoid placing its staff in jeopardy. "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," he explained. This statement has been a cornerstone of the studio’s public image, positioning Schell Games as a company that prioritizes employee stability over short‑term financial pressures.
The recent layoffs, therefore, appear to run counter to that declared philosophy, raising questions about the underlying forces that prompted the decision. While the exact financial details have not been disclosed, the broader context of a struggling gaming industry provides some clues. Over the past several years, the video game sector has faced a series of challenges, including rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and increased competition from both established publishers and emerging indie studios. Many companies have reported revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, and heightened uncertainty about future projects.
Industry analysts point out that the pandemic‑driven boom in gaming activity has begun to level off, and the market is now experiencing a correction. This correction often manifests as tighter budgets, more cautious investment, and, unfortunately, workforce reductions. Schell Games, despite its strong portfolio and reputation for innovative design, is not immune to these macro‑economic pressures. The impact of the layoffs extends beyond the individuals directly affected.
When a studio of Schell Games’ size reduces its staff, the remaining team members often experience increased workloads, heightened stress, and a shift in morale. Projects that were already in development may need to be re‑scoped, delayed, or even cancelled, which can affect the studio’s release schedule and revenue projections. Moreover, the public nature of the announcements—through LinkedIn posts and coverage by industry media—means that the news reaches not only current employees but also potential future hires, partners, and investors. Transparency can be a double‑edged sword: it demonstrates honesty and openness, but it also signals vulnerability that competitors might exploit.
In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment, seeking clarification on the factors that led to the decision and whether the company intends to adjust its hiring strategy moving forward. As of now, no formal statement has been released by the studio beyond the individual posts from affected staff.
The episode serves as a reminder that even companies with strong leadership philosophies and a history of employee‑centric policies can be forced to make difficult choices when external market conditions deteriorate. For the individuals who have left Schell Games, the next steps may involve seeking new opportunities within the broader gaming ecosystem, leveraging the experience they gained on high‑profile titles like Among Us 3D and I Expect You To Die.
For the remaining team, the challenge will be to maintain the studio’s creative momentum while navigating a tighter resource environment. The hope among many industry observers is that Schell Games can find a sustainable path forward that honors its founder’s original commitment to protecting jobs, perhaps by exploring alternative revenue streams, strategic partnerships, or more efficient development pipelines.
In the meantime, the broader gaming community watches closely, recognizing that the health of mid‑size studios like Schell Games is a bellwether for the overall resilience of the industry. The situation underscores the delicate balance between creative ambition, financial stewardship, and the human element that drives game development.
As the story develops, stakeholders—from employees and fans to investors and competitors—will be looking for signs of how Schell Games adapts to the current climate and whether it can uphold the values it has long championed, even in the face of unavoidable economic realities.