Schell Games, the development studio best known for its work on the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular game Among Us and the critically acclaimed I Expect You To Die series, has recently been forced to trim its workforce. Multiple employees posted about the situation on LinkedIn, confirming that the company began laying off staff as early as last Friday.
One of the first voices to break the news was the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the layoffs marked the first time Schell Games had ever had to let people go. The manager emphasized that the decision was not a reflection of any employee’s performance: "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The impact of the cuts was further detailed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr., who confirmed that the marketing department was among those affected and even listed four individuals who were let go.
In addition, the senior public‑relations manager for the studio disclosed several names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, painting a broader picture of the reductions across multiple disciplines. Based on the information shared publicly, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs.
Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the company’s size as ranging from 51 to 200 employees, suggesting that the cuts represent a noticeable, though not catastrophic, percentage of the overall staff. One of the affected public‑relations team members posted a reflective message, acknowledging the disappointment of having to leave under such circumstances after nearly six years with the company. "I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost 6 years," the employee 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 underscores the emotional weight that layoffs can carry, even when they are framed as necessary business decisions. The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance that Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, has taken on the subject of job security. 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 suggest a commitment to absorbing financial setbacks without resorting to workforce reductions, a principle that many industry observers have praised as a humane approach in a sector that often experiences volatility. However, the recent cuts appear to contradict that pledge, raising questions about the pressures the studio is currently facing. The broader video‑game industry has been experiencing a period of turbulence, with many publishers and developers reporting revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, and shifting consumer preferences. The pandemic‑driven boom that boosted sales for several years has largely receded, leaving studios to grapple with lower-than‑expected returns on recent projects.
In this environment, even companies that have historically prioritized employee stability may find themselves forced to make difficult choices. Analysts point to several contributing factors that could have led to Schell Games’ decision. First, the cost of developing high‑quality virtual‑reality and augmented‑reality experiences—areas in which Schell Games has invested heavily—has risen sharply, while the market for such experiences remains relatively niche.
Second, the competitive landscape for indie and mid‑tier studios has intensified, with larger publishers acquiring promising titles and squeezing out smaller developers. Finally, the overall economic climate, marked by inflation and reduced discretionary spending, has put additional strain on entertainment budgets, including those for gaming. Despite these challenges, Schell Games remains a respected name in the industry, known for its innovative use of technology and engaging educational content.
The studio’s portfolio includes not only the aforementioned titles but also a range of interactive experiences for museums, theme parks, and corporate training programs. This diversification has historically helped the company weather market swings, but it may not be sufficient to offset the current financial headwinds.
The company has not yet released an official statement addressing the layoffs beyond the individual LinkedIn posts, and GamesIndustry.biz has reached out for comment. Until an official response is provided, the exact rationale—whether it stems from a specific project’s underperformance, a strategic pivot, or broader economic pressures—remains speculative. For the employees who were let go, the transition may involve seeking new opportunities within an industry that, while still hiring, is also undergoing consolidation.
Many of the displaced staff have highlighted their experience working on high‑profile projects and expressed confidence that their skill sets will be valuable to other studios. The public‑relations manager’s note about pride in past achievements reflects a common sentiment among laid‑off professionals: that the work they contributed continues to hold relevance and can serve as a strong foundation for future endeavors. In summary, Schell Games’ recent workforce reductions illustrate the tension between a publicly stated commitment to job security and the harsh realities of a shifting market. While the studio has historically championed a philosophy of protecting its employees from financial risk, the current economic climate appears to have compelled a departure from that ideal.
The situation serves as a reminder that even well‑regarded, innovative companies are not immune to the broader forces shaping the video‑game industry today.