Schell Games, the development studio best known for collaborating on the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for creating the critically praised I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs affecting a number of its employees. The news first surfaced in a story published by Game Developer, which cited several LinkedIn updates posted by staff members at the studio.
The posts indicated that the downsizing began on the Friday prior to the article’s release and that the cuts were being felt across multiple departments. One of the earliest 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 had not been among those let go, and they added a note of reassurance to colleagues: "This isn’t a result of anything you did or didn’t do.
Our industry – and the broader entertainment ecosystem – is currently losing talent at an alarming rate." The marketing division also confirmed the impact. Marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr.
posted that members of the marketing team were among those affected and went on to name four individuals whose positions were eliminated. In a separate update, the senior public relations manager of the studio listed additional names from the art, design, and visual effects groups, indicating that the layoffs were not confined to a single function but spanned several creative and operational areas. Based on the aggregate of these LinkedIn posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the cuts.
This figure is notable given the size of Schell Games, which lists a headcount ranging from 51 to 200 on its corporate LinkedIn page. The proportion of staff affected therefore represents a meaningful slice of the company’s workforce. The public relations manager, who also contributed to the list of affected staff, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective comment: "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 underscores the personal and professional bonds that can develop within a tight‑knit development studio, even as business realities force difficult decisions. The layoffs are particularly striking because they appear to contradict the public position long taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods. He stated, "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 comments suggested that the studio would absorb financial setbacks rather than resort to layoffs, positioning the company as an employer that values stability for its staff. The recent round of reductions, therefore, raises questions about whether market pressures have intensified to a point where the company’s previous commitments are no longer tenable, or whether other strategic considerations have prompted a shift in policy.
Industry analysts note that the broader video‑game sector has been experiencing a period of turbulence. Rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and a competitive marketplace have led many studios to reassess staffing levels and project pipelines. The phrase "our industry is hemorrhaging" used by the engineering manager reflects a sentiment echoed across numerous post‑mortems and trade publications, which point to a wave of layoffs, studio closures, and consolidations that have rippled through the sector over the past year. For Schell Games, the timing of the cuts coincides with a period of transition.
The studio has been expanding its portfolio beyond traditional VR experiences into more mainstream titles, a move that requires different skill sets and potentially larger teams. At the same time, the company has been navigating the financial uncertainties that come with publishing partners, licensing agreements, and the unpredictable performance of new releases. While GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the recent layoffs, a response has not yet been received.
In the absence of a direct statement from the leadership team, employees and observers are left to piece together the narrative from the social‑media posts and prior public statements. The situation serves as a reminder that even studios with a reputation for employee‑centric policies are not immune to the economic forces shaping the gaming landscape. For the individuals who have been let go, the transition may involve seeking new opportunities within a market that remains competitive yet full of potential for creative talent.
For those who remain, the challenge will be to maintain morale, continue delivering high‑quality experiences, and adapt to a leaner operational model while hoping that the company’s long‑term vision can still be realized without further disruption. In summary, Schell Games’ recent layoff announcement marks a significant moment for a studio that has previously championed job security. The reduction, affecting an estimated fourteen staff members across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects, reflects broader industry pressures and may signal a shift in the company’s approach to balancing financial risk with employee stability.
The full impact of these changes will likely become clearer as the studio moves forward and as the gaming industry continues to evolve.