Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for producing the critically acclaimed I Expect You To Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of staff reductions. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees detailed the layoff process that began late last week.
According to coverage by Game Developer, multiple team members posted about the situation, confirming that the cuts started on a Friday. One of the most prominent messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games experienced its first ever layoffs today." The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, emphasizing that the decision was not a reflection of personal performance. The engineering manager added a poignant note, saying, "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The phrasing underscores a broader trend of financial strain affecting not only game developers but also adjacent creative sectors. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who publicly acknowledged that the marketing department was directly impacted.
He listed four colleagues whose positions were eliminated, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers. In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games contributed additional details, naming several individuals from the art, design, and visual effects teams who were also affected. Compiling the information from these posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been laid off in total.
This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members. Whether the cuts represent a small percentage of the overall headcount or a more significant proportion depends on the exact number of employees at any given moment, but the impact on those directly involved is undeniable.
One of the affected public relations staff members shared a reflective message, stating, "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." This sentiment captures both the sorrow of an abrupt departure and the pride in contributions made over an extended tenure. The layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has historically spoken out against job cuts within his organization.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods. 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." Schell further elaborated, "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." This viewpoint suggests that the studio had previously prioritized job security even in the face of uncertain revenue streams, a policy that now appears to have been compromised by the current economic climate.
The contrast between the CEO’s earlier assurances and the recent layoffs raises questions about the underlying pressures that may have forced the company’s hand. The broader video game industry has been grappling with a series of challenges, including rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models, and a lingering post‑pandemic slowdown that has left many studios scrambling to balance budgets. In addition, the macro‑economic environment—characterized by inflation, tightening credit conditions, and a cautious investment climate—has amplified the financial strain on mid‑size developers like Schell Games.
Industry analysts note that layoffs have become increasingly common across the sector, with several high‑profile studios announcing workforce reductions in recent months. While some companies cite specific project cancellations or missed revenue targets, others point to a more systemic issue: the difficulty of sustaining large, multidisciplinary teams when the market is fragmented and revenue streams are unpredictable.
For Schell Games, the timing of the cuts is also noteworthy because the studio has been actively expanding its portfolio beyond traditional gaming. The development of immersive experiences, educational titles, and collaborations with corporate partners has diversified its revenue mix, but it also demands a broader set of skill sets and potentially higher overhead.
Balancing these ambitions with the reality of cash flow can create tension, especially when anticipated deals or licensing agreements fall short of expectations. The response from the remaining staff appears to be a mix of concern and resolve. Some employees have expressed solidarity with their former colleagues, offering support and sharing resources for job searching.
Others have voiced optimism that the studio will emerge leaner yet more focused, hoping that the reductions will enable the company to allocate resources more efficiently toward core projects. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and on how the company plans to navigate the current financial landscape. As of now, no formal statement has been released beyond the individual LinkedIn posts, leaving the broader community to speculate about the strategic adjustments the studio might implement moving forward.
In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its innovative contributions to both entertainment and educational gaming, has announced its first round of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects. The decision arrives despite prior public commitments from CEO Jesse Schell to safeguard jobs, highlighting the intense pressure that even well‑established studios face in a volatile market. As the industry continues to evolve, the situation at Schell Games serves as a reminder that financial realities can sometimes outweigh even the most well‑intentioned philosophies regarding employee security.