Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular social deduction game Among Us and for producing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs affecting several members of its team. The news emerged after Game Developer magazine cited a collection of LinkedIn posts made by current and former employees, which detailed the timing and scope of the cuts. According to those posts, the layoff process began on a Friday and quickly spread across multiple departments within the company.
One of the first public mentions came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today." The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they added a note of empathy for their colleagues: "This has happened not because of anything you did or didn’t do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The marketing division was also directly impacted. Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, confirmed that members of his team were part of the reduction and went on to name four individuals who were affected.
In a separate update, the senior public relations manager shared additional names from the art, design, and visual effects groups, indicating that the cuts were not limited to a single functional area. By tallying the publicly disclosed names, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted in total. This figure aligns with the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members. The relatively small size of the organization makes the loss of fourteen positions a noticeable percentage of its 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." The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long advocated against job cuts within his organization. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees.
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." Schell elaborated on this approach by noting that even if an internally developed intellectual property fails to generate revenue, the studio would still retain its staff because the company would have a path forward that does not involve laying off workers. "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," he said.
The apparent contradiction between Schell’s stated policy and the recent layoffs has prompted industry observers to question what external pressures may have forced the company’s hand. The broader video‑game sector has been experiencing a turbulent period, with many publishers and developers reporting revenue shortfalls, rising development costs, and shifting consumer preferences. Some analysts attribute the strain to macro‑economic factors such as inflation, reduced discretionary spending, and the lingering effects of the pandemic‑induced boom that has now tapered off.
In addition, the competitive landscape for mid‑size studios like Schell Games has become increasingly fierce. Larger publishers are consolidating talent and resources, while emerging indie developers are leveraging lower‑cost distribution platforms and alternative funding models, such as early access and crowdfunding. These dynamics can squeeze profit margins and make it harder for studios that rely on a mix of contract work, original IP, and educational titles to maintain stable cash flow. Schell Games has historically diversified its portfolio, working on both commercial entertainment projects and educational experiences for museums, theme parks, and corporate training.
This diversification strategy has helped the studio weather past downturns, but it also means that a slowdown in any one sector—such as a dip in museum visitation or reduced corporate training budgets—can have a ripple effect across the entire organization. While the company has not issued an official press release regarding the layoffs, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out for comment, and a response is still pending.
In the meantime, former employees have taken to social media to share their personal reflections and to thank colleagues for the collaborative environment they experienced at Schell Games. Many highlighted the studio’s emphasis on creative problem‑solving, its supportive culture, and the unique blend of narrative-driven gameplay and educational content that set it apart from other developers. The situation at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the gaming industry today. As studios grapple with volatile market conditions, they must balance the need to protect their financial health with the desire to uphold the values they espouse publicly, such as job security and employee well‑being.
Whether Schell Games will adjust its staffing strategy moving forward, explore new revenue streams, or perhaps even restructure its business model remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the impact of these layoffs will be felt not only by the individuals directly affected but also by the wider community of developers, partners, and players who have come to appreciate the studio’s distinctive contributions to interactive entertainment.