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 franchise, has recently been forced to reduce its workforce. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting Game Developer to compile the reports. The first public indication of the cuts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and added a candid note about the broader climate: "This isn’t a result of any individual’s actions.
Our sector is currently bleeding profusely, and the impact is being felt far beyond just game development." The marketing division was also hit hard. Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, confirmed that members of his team were among those affected and went on to name four specific colleagues whose positions were eliminated. In a separate post, the senior public‑relations manager listed additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, painting a clearer picture of the scale of the reductions.
From the information gathered on LinkedIn, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs. This figure is noteworthy given Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile, which lists the studio’s headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members. Whether the company sits at the lower or upper end of that range, a fourteen‑person reduction represents a significant percentage of its total workforce.
One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective post. "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 timing of the layoffs is especially striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has long been an outspoken advocate against job cuts within the industry.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated 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. 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 suggested a commitment to shielding his team from the volatility that often accompanies game development cycles. Yet the current round of reductions appears to contradict that stance, raising questions about the pressures the studio is facing.
While the exact financial details remain private, industry observers note that the broader gaming market has been experiencing a slowdown, with several mid‑size developers announcing cutbacks or restructuring in recent months. Factors such as rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models, and macro‑economic headwinds have contributed to what many describe as a "hemorrhaging" environment for game studios. The layoffs also underscore a larger trend in the interactive entertainment sector, where even studios with a strong portfolio of original IP and a reputation for innovative gameplay are not immune to market forces. Schell Games, despite its pedigree and a track record of award‑winning titles, appears to be navigating the same challenges that have forced larger publishers to trim staff, delay projects, or seek external investment.
In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on how the company reconciles its public anti‑layoff position with the recent workforce reductions. As of the time of writing, no official statement has been released beyond the employee posts that first brought the news to light.
The impact of these layoffs extends beyond the immediate loss of jobs. For the remaining staff, there is often an added emotional burden, as they must continue to meet project milestones while coping with the departure of colleagues and the uncertainty that such cuts can create. Industry psychologists point out that sudden downsizing can affect morale, productivity, and the overall creative atmosphere—a concern for any studio that relies on collaborative innovation.
Looking ahead, Schell Games will need to address both internal and external expectations. Internally, the leadership must reassure the remaining team that the company has a sustainable plan for the future, perhaps by outlining new revenue streams, partnerships, or strategic pivots. Externally, stakeholders—including investors, partners, and the gaming community—will be watching closely to see how the studio adapts its development pipeline and whether it can maintain the quality and originality that have defined its brand. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its contributions to both casual and immersive gaming experiences, has announced its first-ever round of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual‑effects.
The cuts come at a time when the broader industry is grappling with financial strain, despite the founder’s previously vocal opposition to job reductions. As the situation unfolds, the studio’s ability to navigate these challenges while preserving its creative ethos will be a key point of interest for observers and fans alike.