Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of employee layoffs. The news surfaced after several members of the company posted about the cuts on LinkedIn, a platform many professionals use to share career updates. According to a story published by Game Developer, the layoffs began early last week, with the first wave occurring on a Friday. One of the studio’s senior technical leaders, the principal engineering manager, posted a brief note indicating that the company was undergoing its first ever workforce reduction.
The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those being let go, and they added a reassuring yet somber message for their colleagues: "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The sentiment echoed across the organization. Dwayne Waite Jr., who serves as the marketing director for Schell Games, also weighed in on the situation, confirming that the marketing department was among those affected. He went on to list four individuals whose positions were eliminated.
In a separate post, the studio’s senior public relations manager disclosed additional names from the art, design, and visual effects teams, indicating that the cuts were spread across multiple disciplines rather than being confined to a single department. By tallying the publicly shared names, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs. This figure aligns with the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members.
For a studio of that scale, a reduction of fourteen people represents a noticeable, though not catastrophic, percentage of the total headcount. The public relations manager, who chose to remain anonymous regarding their own status, 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." These remarks highlight the emotional weight that such corporate decisions can carry, especially in a creative environment where teamwork and long‑term collaboration are central to success.
The layoffs also stand in contrast to the public stance previously taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that the studio would never jeopardize its employees’ jobs for financial risk.
He explained that while the company might be willing to invest its own capital into a game development project, it would not sacrifice the livelihoods of its staff to do so. "At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk," Schell said during that interview. "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." The current round of layoffs therefore raises questions about whether the broader market conditions have forced the studio to deviate from its previously stated principles. The video game industry has been experiencing a period of turbulence, with many publishers and developers reporting revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, and a general contraction in consumer spending. Analysts point to factors such as rising development costs, increased competition from both traditional and emerging platforms, and a shift in player preferences toward live‑service models as contributors to the sector’s “hemorrhaging” state. For Schell Games, which has built a reputation for innovative, narrative‑driven experiences that blend physical interaction with digital gameplay, the financial pressures may be compounded by the niche nature of its products.
While titles like I Expect You to Die have cultivated dedicated fan bases, they do not generate the same blockbuster revenues as mainstream AAA franchises. This reality can make it more challenging for a mid‑size studio to sustain a large payroll during periods of market downturn. Industry observers also note that the timing of the layoffs coincides with a broader wave of reductions across the gaming sector. Several high‑profile studios have announced similar moves in recent months, citing the need to realign resources, cut costs, and focus on core projects.
In many cases, these cuts have been framed as strategic pivots rather than purely reactive measures. Despite the difficulty of the situation, some former employees have expressed optimism about their future prospects. The public relations manager’s statement about walking away “proud of what I accomplished” suggests a belief that the experience and portfolio built at Schell Games will remain valuable in the job market.
Additionally, the company’s emphasis on collaborative culture and innovative design may serve as a strong endorsement for former staff seeking new opportunities. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs, but as of the time of this writing, no response has been received.
The lack of a direct statement from the studio leaves room for speculation about the exact financial pressures that prompted the decision and whether further reductions might be on the horizon. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its creative contributions to the gaming world, has undertaken its first ever staff reductions, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across various departments.
The move reflects broader industry challenges and appears to diverge from the company’s previously articulated commitment to protecting jobs at all costs. As the gaming sector continues to navigate a volatile economic landscape, the long‑term impact of these layoffs on Schell Games’ projects, culture, and reputation remains to be seen.