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 reportedly been forced to cut staff positions. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn updates from current employees began to surface, indicating that the layoffs started on a Friday earlier this week. According to coverage from Game Developer, several team members posted about the reductions, confirming that the cuts were real and affecting multiple departments within the company.
The principal engineering manager at Schell Games was among the first to speak out, noting, "Schell Games had its first-ever layoffs today," and clarifying that they themselves were not among those let go. The manager added a poignant note, explaining that the dismissals were not a reflection of any personal performance issues: "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The marketing division also felt the impact. Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, confirmed that members of the marketing team were part of the layoff wave and went on to name four individuals who were directly affected.
Meanwhile, the senior public relations manager shared additional details, listing colleagues from the art, design, and visual effects teams who were also losing their positions. When the information from these posts is tallied, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted overall. Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the company size as ranging between 51 and 200 employees, which means that the recent cuts represent a noticeable percentage of the workforce, especially given the studio’s relatively modest headcount compared to larger publishers. One of the affected public relations staff members reflected on the experience, writing, "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 timing of these layoffs is particularly striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has long been an outspoken advocate against job cuts within the gaming industry. 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. 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 underscored a broader industry conversation about sustainability, cash flow, and the human cost of development cycles.
While many studios have turned to furloughs, reduced hours, or outright layoffs as a way to manage shrinking revenues and rising production costs, Schell Games had positioned itself as an outlier, pledging to protect its staff even in lean periods. The recent cuts, therefore, raise questions about the pressures that even the most principled companies face when market conditions deteriorate.
The gaming sector as a whole has been experiencing a slowdown, with several high‑profile projects delayed or canceled, and consumer spending showing signs of fatigue after years of rapid growth. This broader downturn has been described by industry observers as a "hemorrhaging" of revenue, a term echoed in the engineering manager’s LinkedIn post.
Factors contributing to this environment include rising development budgets, increasing competition from both established publishers and indie developers, and macro‑economic headwinds such as inflation and reduced discretionary spending. For Schell Games, the challenges are compounded by its focus on immersive experiences and hardware‑integrated titles, which often require significant upfront investment in research, prototyping, and specialized equipment.
While the studio has enjoyed success with titles that blend narrative, puzzle‑solving, and virtual reality, the financial returns on such niche products can be unpredictable. When revenue streams falter, even a company with a strong ethical stance may find its cash reserves strained, prompting difficult decisions. The impact of the layoffs extends beyond the immediate loss of jobs. Colleagues who remain at the studio may experience increased workloads, uncertainty about future stability, and a shift in morale.
Moreover, the departure of seasoned artists, designers, and marketers can affect ongoing projects, potentially leading to delays or alterations in creative direction. For the broader community of developers, the news serves as a cautionary tale about the volatility of the market and the importance of diversified revenue models.
In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on how the studio reconciles its publicly stated commitment to job security with the recent workforce reductions. As of now, no official statement has been released beyond the employee‑generated posts, leaving observers to speculate on the internal calculations that led to the decision. The episode at Schell Games underscores a larger narrative playing out across the gaming world: even studios that champion employee welfare are not immune to the financial realities of an industry in flux. While the company’s leadership has historically emphasized a philosophy of protecting staff, the current economic climate appears to have forced a reevaluation of that stance.
For the affected employees, the transition is undoubtedly challenging, but many have expressed gratitude for their tenure and optimism about future opportunities. For the industry at large, the incident highlights the delicate balance between creative ambition, fiscal responsibility, and the human element that drives game development forward.