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 series, has reportedly begun a round of staff reductions. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees detailed the layoffs that started last Friday, as documented by Game Developer. One of the first posts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who shared that Schell Games experienced its inaugural layoff event. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, adding a note of reassurance to colleagues: “This isn’t a result of anything you did or didn’t do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging.” The phrasing underscores a broader market contraction affecting many developers, not a reflection of individual performance. The cuts were further confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr., who revealed that the marketing department was among those impacted. He listed four specific team members who would be departing, and the studio’s senior public relations manager later added names from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions, indicating that the reductions spanned multiple disciplines within the company.
Based on the cumulative information shared on social media, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been affected. Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging from 51 to 200 staff members, suggesting that the layoffs represent a modest but noticeable percentage of the total headcount.
In a reflective message, the senior public relations manager expressed mixed emotions about the situation. “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 sentiment highlights both the personal impact of the layoffs and the professional pride retained despite the abrupt ending. The development comes as a surprise given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken against cutting jobs. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from employment risk. 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.” This approach was meant to reassure staff that the studio would absorb financial setbacks without resorting to layoffs. Nevertheless, the current market environment appears to have forced a reassessment of that policy.
The gaming sector has been experiencing a downturn, with reduced consumer spending, higher development costs, and increased competition from both established publishers and indie creators. Many studios have reported revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, and a tightening of budgets, prompting a wave of workforce reductions across the industry. Industry analysts point out that the challenges facing Schell Games are not unique. The broader “hemorrhaging” referenced in the employee’s post reflects a systemic issue: a post‑pandemic correction where the surge in game development during the COVID‑19 era has given way to more cautious investment.
Publishers are tightening their pipelines, and venture capital funding for interactive entertainment has become more selective. As a result, even studios with a strong portfolio of educational and entertainment titles, such as Schell Games, are feeling the pressure.
The layoffs also raise questions about the future direction of Schell Games’ projects. The studio has built a reputation for blending immersive technology with learning experiences, often partnering with museums, schools, and corporate clients.
Their recent focus on VR and AR experiences, alongside traditional console and mobile titles, required a diverse talent pool. Cutting staff in marketing, art, design, and visual effects could impact upcoming releases, marketing campaigns, and the studio’s ability to secure new contracts. While GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, the company has not yet issued an official statement beyond the individual LinkedIn posts.
Observers are waiting to see whether the studio will restructure its business model, seek additional funding, or perhaps pivot to a smaller, more sustainable operation that aligns with Jesse Schell’s original commitment to protecting jobs. In the meantime, former employees have expressed gratitude for the experience and camaraderie they enjoyed at Schell Games.
Many highlighted the studio’s collaborative culture, its emphasis on creativity, and the opportunity to work on innovative projects that blend storytelling with cutting‑edge technology. These testimonials suggest that, despite the abrupt departure, the professional relationships and skills acquired will continue to benefit those affected as they move on to new opportunities within the broader gaming and tech ecosystems. The situation at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of the current challenges facing mid‑size game developers: balancing creative ambition with financial realities, maintaining a stable workforce while navigating volatile market conditions, and staying true to a company’s founding values in the face of external pressures. As the industry continues to evolve, the outcomes of these layoffs will likely inform how other studios approach risk management, employee retention, and strategic planning in an increasingly uncertain economic landscape.