Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You To Die franchise, has recently confirmed that it is cutting staff. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from employees indicated that the company began a wave of layoffs last Friday. The first public hint came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs that day.
The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go and added a note of empathy for their colleagues: "This isn’t a result of anything you did or didn’t do. Our sector is currently bleeding heavily, and the impact is being felt far beyond just game development." Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who disclosed that the reductions also touched the marketing division.
He listed four individuals from his team who were affected. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager at Schell Games shared a longer roster of names, spanning the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, indicating that the cuts were not confined to a single function.
Compiling the information from these posts suggests that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs. This figure is notable when compared with the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members. Whether the layoffs represent a small percentage of the total headcount or a more significant proportion depends on where within that range Schell Games actually sits. One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and gratitude in a heartfelt message.
"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 these cuts is particularly striking given the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, on the subject of job security. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees.
He emphasized that the studio’s core principle is to avoid endangering jobs, even if that means taking on monetary risk when developing a new title. "At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk," Schell said during that interview. "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." The current layoffs therefore appear to contradict the ethos that Schell publicly championed. While the company has not released an official statement detailing the financial pressures that prompted the decision, industry observers point to broader market trends that have been affecting many mid‑size developers. The video‑game sector has experienced a slowdown in consumer spending, rising development costs, and heightened competition from both established publishers and emerging indie studios.
These macro‑economic forces have created a “hemorrhaging” environment, as described by the engineering manager, where even studios with a strong track record may need to adjust their staffing levels. Analysts also note that the shift toward live‑service models and the increasing reliance on post‑launch monetisation can place additional strain on development pipelines. Studios that traditionally focused on episodic or single‑purchase experiences, like Schell Games, may find themselves needing to re‑allocate resources to support ongoing updates, community engagement, and cross‑platform compatibility. Such strategic pivots often require a reshuffling of talent, sometimes resulting in layoffs for roles that are no longer aligned with the company’s immediate priorities.
The layoffs have sparked conversation among former and current employees about the sustainability of the studio’s business model. Some have suggested that the company might explore alternative revenue streams, such as educational partnerships, licensing deals, or expanding its portfolio of virtual‑reality experiences—areas where Schell Games has previously demonstrated expertise. Others argue that the studio could benefit from a more diversified publishing strategy, perhaps by collaborating with larger publishers to share financial risk while preserving core creative teams. Despite the disappointment expressed by those leaving, many former staff members remain optimistic about their future prospects.
The experience of working on high‑profile projects like Among Us 3D and the I Expect You To Die series has equipped them with a valuable skill set that is in demand across the industry. Several individuals have already reported receiving interest from other studios, and some are considering launching independent ventures that leverage their expertise in narrative design and immersive gameplay. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and on how the company plans to navigate the current market challenges while staying true to its stated commitment to employee security.
Until a response is received, the community will continue to watch closely for any updates that might clarify the studio’s strategic direction and its efforts to balance financial viability with the well‑being of its workforce.