Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs. The news surfaced after several employees posted about the cuts on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer. The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that Schell Games experienced its inaugural layoff event on a Friday.
The manager emphasized that the dismissals were not tied to any personal performance issues, stating, "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The phrasing underscores a broader industry downturn, suggesting that the reductions are a symptom of systemic financial pressure rather than isolated mismanagement.
Further confirmation arrived from marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr., who disclosed that the marketing department was among those affected. He went on to name four specific staff members who were let go.
Adding to the picture, the studio’s senior public relations manager posted additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the cuts spanned multiple creative and support functions. Compiling the various LinkedIn posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted in total. This figure is notable given Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile, which lists the company size as ranging from 51 to 200 employees. Even at the lower end of that range, the layoffs represent a meaningful percentage of the workforce, highlighting the seriousness of the current fiscal climate.
One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, 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." This sentiment captures both the personal impact of the layoffs and the professional satisfaction derived from years of collaborative work. The timing of these reductions is particularly striking because it appears to contradict statements made by Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has historically taken a public stance against laying off staff.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial 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 remarks suggest a commitment to preserving jobs even when a project fails to generate revenue, implying that the studio would absorb financial losses rather than resort to staff reductions. The recent layoffs, therefore, raise questions about whether external market forces have become so severe that even a company with a strong ethical stance on employment security must reconsider its approach.
Industry analysts point out that the broader video‑game sector has been experiencing a period of contraction, with several mid‑size developers announcing similar workforce reductions over the past year. Factors such as rising development costs, increased competition from both AAA publishers and indie creators, and a slowdown in consumer spending on entertainment have all contributed to a tighter financial environment.
In this context, Schell Games’ layoffs can be viewed as part of a larger trend rather than an isolated incident. The impact on the studio’s ongoing projects remains uncertain. Schell Games is currently juggling multiple titles, including the upcoming sequel to I Expect You to Die and a new VR experience slated for release next year. The loss of staff in key departments like art, design, and marketing could affect production timelines, quality assurance processes, and promotional campaigns.
However, the company’s leadership has not yet disclosed any adjustments to release schedules or budget reallocations. From a morale perspective, the layoffs may also influence the remaining employees’ perception of job security. While the public statements emphasize the uncontrollable nature of the industry’s downturn, internal communications will likely need to address concerns about future stability, potential further cuts, and the company’s strategy for navigating the financial headwinds. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment on the recent layoffs, seeking clarification on how the decision aligns with the CEO’s previously stated policy of protecting jobs.
As of now, no official response has been published, leaving the community to speculate on the internal deliberations that led to this outcome. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its innovative contributions to both casual and immersive gaming experiences, has announced its first wave of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across various departments.
The move reflects a broader industry contraction and appears at odds with the founder’s publicly stated commitment to safeguarding employment. Stakeholders will be watching closely for further updates on how the studio plans to sustain its creative pipeline while addressing the financial challenges that have prompted this difficult decision.