Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for producing 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, a development first reported by Game Developer. The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company had carried out its inaugural layoff round on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go and emphasized that the decision was not tied to individual performance.
"This isn’t a result of anything you did or didn’t do. Our industry is currently losing talent at an alarming rate," the post read, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the broader entertainment sector, which has been grappling with a prolonged period of financial strain and market contraction. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who disclosed that the cuts had impacted the marketing department. He went on to name four colleagues who were directly affected.
In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager contributed to the conversation by listing several individuals from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also part of the downsizing. Based on the aggregate of these LinkedIn updates, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs.
This figure is notable given the company’s publicly listed headcount, which places its workforce somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members. In other words, the reduction represents a small but significant percentage of the studio’s total talent pool.
One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, posted a reflective message that captured both disappointment and gratitude. "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 tone of the message underscores a common theme in layoff narratives: a mixture of personal loss, professional pride, and appreciation for collaborative relationships built over years of development work. The layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public stance that Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has taken on the issue of job security. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods.
He asserted, "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 comments highlighted a broader industry debate about how studios can balance the volatile economics of game development with a commitment to their workforce.
Many developers argue that maintaining a stable team is essential for preserving creative continuity, fostering a healthy studio culture, and ensuring that long‑term projects can be completed without the disruption of turnover. Others point out that the unpredictable nature of game sales, shifting consumer preferences, and the rising costs of technology can force even well‑intentioned companies to make difficult staffing decisions. The current situation at Schell Games reflects these tensions.
While the company has historically emphasized a people‑first approach, the reality of a shrinking market, rising development costs, and potentially underperforming titles may have created a financial environment where layoffs became unavoidable. The exact financial pressures that led to this decision have not been disclosed, but the broader context includes a post‑pandemic slowdown in discretionary spending, increased competition from large publishers, and a tightening of venture capital funding for mid‑size studios. Industry analysts note that Schell Games is not alone in facing these challenges. Over the past two years, a wave of layoffs has swept through both indie and mid‑tier developers, with notable examples including the downsizing of studios behind popular franchises and the shuttering of entire development houses.
The trend has been attributed to a combination of factors: the high cost of modern game engines, the demand for increasingly sophisticated graphics and live‑service models, and the volatility of revenue streams tied to seasonal releases and subscription services. For the employees who remain at Schell Games, the future may involve a period of restructuring and refocusing.
Companies in similar situations often consolidate teams, prioritize core projects, and seek new revenue sources such as licensing deals, educational partnerships, or episodic content. Schell Games, with its pedigree in both entertainment and serious‑games experiences, may explore expanding its educational and training portfolio, an area that has shown resilience amid broader market downturns. In the meantime, the studio’s leadership has yet to issue an official statement beyond the individual LinkedIn posts. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, and a formal response is pending.
Observers will be watching closely to see how the company navigates this transition, whether it can uphold its stated commitment to employee security, and how the remaining staff will adapt to a potentially leaner operational model. Overall, the layoffs at Schell Games serve as a microcosm of the larger pressures confronting the video‑game industry today. While the company’s founder has long championed a philosophy that separates financial risk from staff risk, the reality of market forces can sometimes override even the best‑intentioned policies. The affected employees, though saddened by the abrupt end to their tenure, have expressed pride in their contributions and gratitude for the collaborative environment they helped create.
As the studio moves forward, it will need to balance fiscal responsibility with the cultural values that have defined its brand, all while continuing to produce innovative experiences for players worldwide.