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 recently confirmed that it is cutting staff. The news first surfaced in a piece published by Game Developer, which highlighted a series of LinkedIn updates from employees who began reporting layoffs as early as last Friday. One of the first messages to surface was posted by the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, “Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs today.” The manager clarified that they themselves had not been dismissed, underscoring that the reductions were not a reflection of individual performance. The post continued, “This isn’t due to anything you did or didn’t do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging.” The impact of the cuts was further confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr., who disclosed that the marketing department was among those affected and even named four specific employees who were let go. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager at Schell Games shared further details, identifying colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also impacted. Compiling the various reports suggests that roughly fourteen employees have been affected across the organization. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the company as employing somewhere between 51 and 200 people, indicating that the layoffs represent a significant percentage of the workforce.
One of the affected public‑relations staff members posted a reflective note that captured both disappointment and pride: “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.” The sentiment illustrates the emotional weight of the situation for long‑standing employees who have invested years of effort into the studio’s projects. The timing of these layoffs is particularly striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has publicly opposed job cuts for many years.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. He stated, “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.” He added, “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.” These remarks have now been called into question by the recent staff reductions, suggesting that the economic pressures facing the broader gaming industry have become too severe to ignore, even for a studio that has previously championed employee security. The broader market context is one of contraction; many developers are reporting revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, and increased competition from both established publishers and emerging indie titles. This environment has led to what industry insiders describe as a “hemorrhaging” of talent and resources across the sector. The layoffs at Schell Games also reflect a larger trend of mid‑size studios being forced to reassess staffing levels as they navigate uncertain financial forecasts.
While larger publishers may have deeper pockets to weather downturns, studios of Schell’s size often operate with tighter margins, making them more vulnerable to shifts in consumer spending, platform changes, and the rising costs of technology and talent acquisition. In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on how the studio reconciles its previous public stance with the recent decision to cut jobs.
As of the time of this writing, no official statement has been released from the company beyond the employee‑shared posts. The episode serves as a sobering reminder that even studios with a strong brand identity and a track record of innovative games are not immune to the financial volatility that currently characterizes the video‑game industry.
For the affected employees, the transition may involve seeking new opportunities within a market that is simultaneously contracting and evolving, with many studios shifting focus toward live‑service models, cross‑platform releases, and emerging technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality. Looking ahead, Schell Games will likely need to communicate a clear plan for how it intends to stabilize its operations, retain remaining talent, and continue delivering the high‑quality interactive experiences that have defined its portfolio. Whether the studio can uphold its professed commitment to employee security while navigating these economic headwinds remains an open question that industry observers will watch closely.