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 employee layoffs. The news broke after Game Developer magazine cited a series of LinkedIn updates posted by members of the studio’s staff, indicating that the reductions started on the Friday preceding the report.
One of the first to speak out was the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games was conducting its inaugural layoff round. He clarified that he himself remained employed, but that the decision was not tied to any personal performance issues. "This isn’t a result of any individual actions. Our industry (and beyond) right now is bleeding heavily," he wrote, emphasizing that the cuts were driven by broader market forces rather than internal shortcomings.
The marketing department also felt the impact. Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, confirmed that members of his team were among those let go and proceeded to name four colleagues who were directly affected.
In a separate post, the senior public‑relations manager added further names, this time from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions, painting a picture of a cross‑functional reduction that touched many parts of the company. From the information gathered on LinkedIn, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs. This figure is notable given the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its headcount in the range of 51 to 200 staff members.
Whether the cuts represent a small percentage of the workforce or a more significant proportion depends on where the studio actually sits within that range, but the human impact is nonetheless palpable. One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, 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," she 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." Her words underscore the emotional weight of losing a job after a long tenure, while also highlighting a sense of achievement and gratitude for the collaborative experiences she enjoyed while at Schell Games. The layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public philosophy espoused by the studio’s founder and CEO, Jesse Schell. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a firm stance against sacrificing employee jobs for financial risk.
He explained that the studio separates monetary risk from staff security, insisting that while cash flow may be jeopardized when a game is in development, the jobs of the team should remain protected. "At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk," Schell said. "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 these assurances, the recent cuts suggest that external pressures have become too great for the studio to ignore. The broader video‑game industry has been experiencing a period of contraction, with many publishers and developers reporting reduced revenue streams, delayed releases, and a cautious approach to new investments.
This environment has forced even historically stable companies to reconsider staffing levels in order to preserve cash reserves and maintain operational flexibility. Industry analysts note that the current downturn is driven by a combination of factors: rising development costs, market saturation, shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models, and macro‑economic headwinds such as inflation and reduced discretionary spending. For mid‑size studios like Schell Games, which sit between indie developers and large AAA publishers, the balancing act becomes especially delicate.
They must continue to deliver innovative experiences while navigating tighter budgets and uncertain revenue projections. The reaction from the gaming community has been one of empathy and concern. Fans of *I Expect You to Die* praised the studio’s creative storytelling and immersive puzzles, while players who enjoyed the *Among Us* 3D experience expressed hope that the company will weather the storm and continue to produce high‑quality content.
Many commentators have also pointed out that Schell Games’ reputation for fostering a collaborative and supportive workplace makes the news of layoffs all the more poignant. In the wake of the announcement, GamesIndustry.biz reached out to Schell Games for an official comment.
As of this writing, no response has been received, leaving the community to speculate about the company’s next steps. Some observers suggest that the studio may be reallocating resources toward its most promising projects, possibly focusing on new intellectual property or expanding existing franchises that have shown strong market traction. Regardless of the specifics, the situation at Schell Games illustrates a broader trend affecting many creative enterprises: the need to adapt quickly to volatile market conditions while trying to uphold core values and protect the workforce.
It also serves as a reminder that even companies with strong leadership and clear ethical positions can be vulnerable when external economic forces shift dramatically. For the employees who have been let go, the transition may involve seeking new opportunities within the gaming sector, leveraging the experience and skills they honed at Schell Games.
The studio’s legacy of innovative design, narrative depth, and technical excellence will likely serve as a valuable credential on their résumés. Meanwhile, the remaining staff will have to navigate a changed internal landscape, possibly taking on additional responsibilities or adjusting to new workflows as the company restructures.
In summary, Schell Games’ recent layoffs reflect both the immediate pressures of a tightening industry and the ongoing challenge of aligning financial sustainability with a commitment to employee security. While the company’s leadership previously emphasized a philosophy of safeguarding jobs, the current reality demonstrates that even well‑intentioned policies can be tested by broader economic currents. The coming months will reveal how Schell Games adapts, whether it can retain its creative momentum, and how it will support both departing and remaining team members during this period of uncertainty.