Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You To Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs affecting a portion of its staff. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees detailed the timing and scope of the cuts, which appear to have begun on the Friday preceding the reports. The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games experienced its inaugural layoff event on that day. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those whose positions were terminated.
In the same post, they offered a broader perspective on the situation, stating, "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 belief that the layoffs are driven by macro‑economic pressures rather than individual performance. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who acknowledged that the reductions also impacted the marketing department. He went on to identify four specific colleagues who were let go, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers.
Adding to the picture, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual effects teams, indicating that the cuts spanned multiple disciplines within the company. Compiling the information from these various posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by the layoffs. This figure is noteworthy when considered against the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its workforce size as ranging from 51 to 200 individuals.
Even at the upper bound, a reduction of fourteen staff members represents a significant percentage of the team, suggesting a substantial impact on day‑to‑day operations and project pipelines. The public relations manager expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective comment posted after the announcement. "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 toll of the layoffs and the lasting sense of achievement that can accompany a tenure at a creative studio.
The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long positioned the studio as a company that avoids placing its employees at risk. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from staff security. 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 suggest a commitment to weathering financial downturns without resorting to layoffs, a principle that has resonated with employees and industry observers alike. The recent cuts therefore raise questions about the forces that may have compelled the studio to deviate from its stated policy.
While the exact financial pressures have not been disclosed, the broader gaming sector has been experiencing a period of contraction, with numerous publishers and developers reporting reduced revenues, delayed releases, and heightened competition for consumer attention. Industry analysts point to several contributing factors that could explain why even a studio with a reputation for fiscal responsibility might need to trim its workforce. First, the escalating cost of game development—particularly for titles that incorporate advanced graphics, virtual reality, or complex multiplayer infrastructures—has outpaced revenue growth for many mid‑size companies.
Second, the post‑pandemic market correction has seen a slowdown in discretionary spending on entertainment, leading to tighter budgets and a more cautious approach to hiring. Third, shifting platform dynamics, such as the rise of subscription services and the growing importance of live‑ops monetization, require studios to reallocate resources toward ongoing content updates rather than traditional one‑off releases. For Schell Games, whose portfolio includes both original intellectual property and collaborations with external partners, these market forces could translate into reduced cash flow from licensing deals, delayed payments from publishers, or a need to prioritize certain projects over others.
In such a scenario, the company may have concluded that a modest reduction in staff was the most viable path to preserving long‑term stability, even if it contradicts earlier public statements. The reaction from the broader gaming community has been one of empathy mixed with concern. Fans of the I Expect You To Die series and the Among Us 3D project have taken to social media to express gratitude for the studio’s past work while also voicing worries about the future of upcoming titles. Some commentators have highlighted the paradox of a studio that once championed employee security now having to make difficult personnel decisions, noting that this reflects a larger trend across the industry where even well‑intentioned companies are not immune to economic headwinds.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and to seek clarification on how the studio plans to navigate the current financial climate while staying true to its employee‑first ethos. Until a response is received, the situation remains a poignant reminder of the volatility inherent in the video game sector, where creative ambition must constantly be balanced against fiscal realities. In summary, Schell Games’ recent workforce reductions underscore the challenging environment facing many mid‑size developers today. While the company’s leadership has historically emphasized a commitment to safeguarding jobs, the decision to lay off approximately fourteen staff members suggests that external market pressures have become too great to ignore.
The affected employees have expressed both disappointment and pride in their contributions, and the industry at large will be watching closely to see how Schell Games adapts its strategy moving forward, striving to honor its legacy of innovative game design while confronting the economic realities of the modern gaming landscape.