Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of staff reductions. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees began to surface, indicating that the layoffs started on a Friday earlier this week. The first public hint came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games experienced its inaugural layoff event that day.
The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they emphasized that the decision was not tied to any personal performance issues. "This isn’t a result of any individual’s actions. Our industry (and beyond) right now is bleeding profusely," the manager wrote, underscoring the broader market pressures that have been affecting many game developers. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who acknowledged that the cuts had impacted the marketing department.
He went on to list four colleagues who were directly affected, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers. The studio’s senior public relations manager also contributed to the discussion, naming additional team members from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions who were part of the downsizing. Compiling the information from these various posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs.
This figure is noteworthy given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the company’s headcount as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, suggesting that the cuts represent a noticeable percentage of the workforce. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt message. "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 reflects a common theme among laid‑off workers in the gaming sector: a deep attachment to the projects and teammates they leave behind, even as they confront the uncertainty of the job market.
The layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long positioned the studio as an employer that protects its staff from financial volatility. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates monetary risk from employment risk. 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 comments highlighted a commitment to maintaining a stable workforce even during periods of financial uncertainty, a promise that now appears to have been challenged by the current economic climate. The broader gaming industry has been experiencing a wave of contractions, with numerous studios citing rising development costs, shifting consumer expectations, and a slowdown in publisher funding as key drivers behind recent layoffs.
Analysts suggest that Schell Games’ decision may be a response to several converging factors. First, the cost of developing high‑quality immersive experiences, such as virtual‑reality titles and narrative‑driven games, has risen dramatically.
Second, the post‑pandemic market correction has left many mid‑size studios scrambling to balance ambitious creative visions with tighter budgets. Finally, the competitive landscape, with larger publishers consolidating market share, has squeezed the margins for independent developers.
While the exact financial details behind Schell Games’ restructuring have not been disclosed, the company’s LinkedIn profile still lists a headcount range of 51‑200, indicating that the organization remains operational and continues to pursue new projects. The studio’s portfolio, which includes both original intellectual property and collaborative work with educational partners, suggests that there may be upcoming releases or partnerships that could help stabilize revenue streams in the near future.
The reaction from the gaming community has been one of empathy and concern. Fans of the I Expect You to Die series have taken to social media to express support for the departing employees, sharing memories of the games they helped bring to life. Meanwhile, industry observers are watching closely to see how Schell Games navigates this period of transition and whether the company will adjust its hiring strategy or pivot toward new business models, such as service‑based games or licensing arrangements.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and the apparent shift from the company’s previously stated employment philosophy. As of now, no response has been received, leaving the community to speculate on how the studio will address the challenges ahead and what measures might be taken to protect remaining staff.
In summary, Schell Games—once heralded for its innovative approach to interactive entertainment—has entered a difficult chapter marked by its first-ever layoffs. The move reflects broader industry turbulence and raises questions about the sustainability of its earlier promise to shield employees from financial risk. As the studio works to regroup, the affected employees and the wider gaming community hope for a swift recovery and a return to the creative momentum that made Schell Games a respected name in the industry.