Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly begun a round of layoffs affecting a number of its employees. The news surfaced after Game Developer magazine cited a series of LinkedIn updates posted by staff members at Schell Games, indicating that the company started cutting positions on a Friday earlier this week.
One of the first messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the organization experienced its "first ever layoffs today" and clarified that the manager themselves had not been dismissed. In the same post, the engineering manager added a note meant to reassure colleagues and outsiders alike: "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 across the video‑game sector, where many developers are feeling the pressure of rising production costs, shifting consumer preferences, and a competitive marketplace that has left several mid‑size studios scrambling for stability. Further confirmation came from Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who publicly acknowledged that the reductions impacted the marketing department.
Waite listed four individuals from his team who were part of the layoff wave. In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager contributed a separate LinkedIn post that identified several more colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions who were also let go. When the various posts are tallied together, the consensus among observers is that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by this latest round of cuts. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ own LinkedIn company page lists the studio’s headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members, meaning the layoffs represent a noticeable percentage of the workforce.
The senior public‑relations manager, who chose to remain anonymous in the public forum, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt message. "I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years," the manager 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 reflects a common experience among game developers who, despite facing abrupt terminations, often leave with a sense of accomplishment tied to the creative projects they helped bring to life. The layoffs are particularly striking because they appear to contradict the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long advocated 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’ 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. 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 highlighted a commitment to preserving staff even during periods of fiscal uncertainty, suggesting that the company would rather absorb monetary loss than sacrifice its workforce.
The recent layoffs, therefore, raise questions about whether the market forces affecting the broader industry have become so severe that even studios with a strong ethical stance on employment stability are forced to reconsider their approach. Industry analysts point out that the video‑game sector has been experiencing a wave of consolidation, delayed releases, and a shift toward live‑service models that demand ongoing investment. Smaller and mid‑size studios, which often lack the deep pockets of larger publishers, may find themselves in a precarious position when revenue streams do not meet projections. In such an environment, even a company that previously pledged to protect its employees may need to make difficult decisions to ensure long‑term viability.
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 economic climate while staying true to its stated values. As of the time of writing, no response has been received, leaving the community to speculate on the next steps for the studio and its remaining staff.
The situation at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of a larger narrative playing out across the gaming world: studios are wrestling with the balance between creative ambition, financial sustainability, and the well‑being of their teams. While the layoffs are undoubtedly a painful development for those directly affected, they also spark a broader conversation about how the industry can evolve to support both innovative game development and stable employment for the talented individuals who drive it forward.