Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die franchise, has recently been forced to cut its workforce. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees detailed a wave of layoffs that began on a Friday earlier this week. The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs on that day. The manager clarified that they themselves had not been dismissed and emphasized that the reductions were not tied to any personal performance issues.
"This isn’t a result of any individual’s actions. Our industry is currently bleeding heavily," the post read, underscoring the broader market pressures affecting the gaming sector and related creative fields. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, who acknowledged that the marketing department was among those impacted. He listed four colleagues who were let go, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers.
In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager contributed additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the cuts spanned multiple disciplines within the organization. By tallying the publicly shared information, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by the layoffs. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists its total headcount as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, suggesting that the reductions represent a meaningful percentage of the workforce.
One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a bittersweet sentiment in their farewell note. "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." The message reflects both a sense of loss and a lingering pride in the projects and collaborations that defined their tenure. The layoffs are particularly striking in light of CEO and founder Jesse Schell’s long‑standing public opposition to job cuts.
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 suggested a commitment to preserving staff even during periods of fiscal uncertainty, making the recent reductions appear contradictory to that stated ethos. The discrepancy has prompted industry observers to question whether external market forces—such as declining consumer spending, rising development costs, and a broader contraction across the gaming sector—have become so severe that even studios with a protective stance toward their employees must reconsider their approach. The broader context of the gaming industry’s current climate helps explain the situation. Over the past year, several high‑profile publishers and developers have announced layoffs, studio closures, or project cancellations as revenue streams have been squeezed by a combination of inflation, shifting player preferences, and increased competition from live‑service models and mobile titles.
This environment has been described by analysts as a "hemorrhaging" period, where cash flow is tight and risk‑averse strategies dominate. For Schell Games, a studio that has historically relied on a mix of original intellectual property and partnerships with larger publishers, the financial strain may stem from a slowdown in contract work, delays in new releases, or the challenges of scaling up ambitious VR experiences like I Expect You to Die. The company’s size—somewhere between 51 and 200 employees—means that a reduction of fourteen staff members can have a noticeable impact on project pipelines, morale, and the studio’s capacity to take on new contracts. Industry insiders note that layoffs at mid‑sized studios often serve as a signal to investors and partners that the company is taking proactive steps to preserve long‑term viability.
While painful for those directly affected, such moves can sometimes stabilize cash flow, allowing the remaining team to focus on core projects without the burden of overextension. In response to the news, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on the decision‑making process and how the studio plans to navigate the post‑layoff landscape. As of now, no official statement beyond the employee posts has been released, leaving the community to speculate on the future direction of the studio.
The situation at Schell Games underscores a broader truth about the volatility of the video‑game development sector: even studios with strong reputations, innovative portfolios, and leaders who champion employee security are not immune to market downturns. As the industry continues to grapple with economic headwinds, many will be watching how companies balance financial prudence with the promise of job stability—a balance that, in this case, appears to have tipped toward difficult but perhaps necessary reductions. For the employees who have departed, the transition may involve seeking new opportunities within the vibrant gaming ecosystem, leveraging the experience gained at Schell Games to secure roles at other studios, or even pursuing independent projects.
The senior public‑relations manager’s expression of pride and gratitude hints at a resilient mindset that could translate into future successes, whether within established companies or as part of emerging indie ventures. In summary, Schell Games’ recent layoffs reflect a convergence of internal strategic decisions and external economic pressures. While the move appears at odds with the founder’s previously articulated commitment to safeguarding jobs, the reality of a contracting market may have forced a reassessment of priorities.
The coming months will reveal how the studio restructures its operations, retains talent, and positions itself for recovery in an industry that, despite current challenges, continues to evolve and innovate.