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 that was first highlighted in a report by Game Developer.
According to the article, the layoffs started last Friday and were confirmed by multiple members of the team. The studio’s principal engineering manager posted that the company experienced its "first ever layoffs" and clarified that he himself was not among those let go. He added a note of reassurance, stating, "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The marketing director, Dwayne Waite Jr., also weighed in, confirming that the cuts affected the marketing department. He listed four individuals from his team who were impacted. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager shared further details, naming several colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions who were part of the reduction. From the information gathered on LinkedIn, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been affected across the organization.
Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile indicates that the studio employs somewhere between 51 and 200 people, so the layoffs represent a noticeable percentage of the workforce. One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed mixed emotions in a heartfelt post. "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 because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has long spoken publicly against the practice of cutting jobs.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized that the studio 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." Schell’s comments suggested a philosophy that the company would rather absorb financial losses than lay off staff. However, the recent reductions indicate that the broader market pressures may have forced a reassessment of that stance. The gaming industry has been experiencing a turbulent period, with many publishers and developers reporting revenue shortfalls, delayed projects, and shifting consumer preferences.
This environment has led to what insiders describe as a "hemorrhaging" of talent, as studios scramble to cut costs and preserve cash flow. Industry analysts note that the current climate is driven by several factors: rising development costs, increased competition from both established publishers and indie creators, and a slowdown in consumer spending on entertainment due to macro‑economic uncertainty. Additionally, the transition to newer platforms and the need for more sophisticated technology—such as advanced graphics engines, live‑service infrastructure, and cross‑platform compatibility—has placed added strain on budgets.
For Schell Games, which has built a reputation for innovative, narrative‑driven experiences, the challenge lies in balancing creative ambition with fiscal responsibility. The studio’s portfolio includes not only the immersive Among Us 3D experience but also a series of escape‑room‑style VR titles that have garnered a dedicated fan base.
Maintaining that level of quality while navigating a tight financial landscape is a delicate act. The layoffs also raise questions about the future direction of the company.
Will Schell Games double down on its existing IPs, or will it explore new partnerships and funding models to sustain growth? Some observers suggest that the studio might look toward collaborations with larger publishers, venture capital, or even government grants aimed at supporting interactive media development.
Others speculate that the company could pivot toward service‑based models, such as subscription‑driven content or educational VR experiences, which have shown promise in recent years. Employees who remain at Schell Games are likely to face an increased workload as the studio adjusts to a leaner structure. The remaining staff will need to cover gaps left by their former colleagues, potentially leading to longer hours and heightened pressure to deliver on upcoming projects.
Management will have to address morale and ensure clear communication to keep the team motivated during this transition. In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment, but as of now no statement has been released. The silence leaves room for speculation, but it also underscores the sensitivity surrounding workforce reductions in a sector where talent is a prized asset.
Overall, the layoffs at Schell Games reflect a broader trend affecting many mid‑size studios that are caught between the desire to innovate and the reality of shrinking profit margins. While the company’s founder has historically championed job security, the current market dynamics appear to have compelled a difficult decision.
As the industry continues to evolve, studios like Schell Games will need to adapt their business models, explore new revenue streams, and perhaps most importantly, find ways to retain the creative talent that has made them successful in the first place.