Schell Games, the development 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 reportedly begun a round of staff reductions. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer and other industry outlets. According to the reports, the first wave of layoffs started last Friday. One of the studio’s senior engineers, who identifies as the principal engineering manager, shared a brief but candid update on his professional network, noting that the company was undergoing its inaugural round of job cuts.
He emphasized that the decision was 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 impact of the cuts extended beyond engineering.
Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, confirmed that members of the marketing team were also affected and went on to name four specific individuals who were let go. Meanwhile, the senior public relations manager posted additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, painting a broader picture of the reductions across multiple disciplines.
From the information gathered on social media, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted in total. Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, meaning the layoffs represent a noticeable, though not catastrophic, percentage of the company’s headcount.
One of the affected public‑relations staff members 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," the manager 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 these layoffs is particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken out against job cuts.
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." Despite those earlier assurances, the recent reductions suggest that the broader market forces affecting the video‑game industry have become too severe to ignore. Over the past year, the sector has faced a series of challenges, including rising development costs, a slowdown in consumer spending, and an overall contraction in funding for mid‑size studios. Many analysts describe the current climate as a "bleeding" period, where revenue streams are tightening and studios are forced to reassess their cost structures.
Schell Games is known for its emphasis on experiential learning and immersive gameplay, often blending narrative storytelling with puzzle‑solving mechanics. Their portfolio, which includes the I Expect You to Die series—a spy‑themed escape‑room experience that has garnered a dedicated fan base—has historically performed well in both retail and digital storefronts.
However, even successful IPs can be vulnerable when the macro‑economic environment shifts dramatically. Industry observers note that the layoffs may also be a pre‑emptive measure to preserve the studio’s long‑term viability.
By reducing headcount now, Schell Games could be aiming to lower its fixed costs, thereby giving itself more flexibility to weather a prolonged downturn. This strategy, while painful for the individuals directly affected, is sometimes viewed as a necessary step to avoid more drastic measures such as studio closure or bankruptcy. The reaction from the broader gaming community has been one of empathy and concern.
Fans of the I Expect You to Die series took to social media to express support for the departing employees, sharing messages of gratitude for the games they helped create. Some commentators have also highlighted the irony of the situation, pointing out the contrast between Schell’s earlier public commitments to job security and the reality of the current cuts.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs, but as of the time of writing, no response has been received. The lack of a public statement leaves many questions unanswered, including whether the company plans to implement additional rounds of reductions, how it will support the displaced staff, and what its roadmap looks like for upcoming projects.
In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its innovative titles and commitment to employee well‑being, has entered a difficult phase marked by its first ever layoffs. Approximately fourteen staff members across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects have been let go, reflecting the broader pressures that the video‑game industry is currently experiencing.
While the decision runs counter to the founder’s previously stated philosophy of protecting jobs, it underscores the harsh reality that even well‑established studios must adapt to shifting economic tides. The full impact of these cuts on the studio’s future output and culture remains to be seen, but the situation serves as a sobering reminder of the volatility inherent in the entertainment software market.