Schell Games, the development 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 a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees indicated that the company started laying off team members last Friday.
The information was first highlighted in a piece by Game Developer, which cited multiple LinkedIn posts that detailed the scope and emotional impact of the cuts. One of the most striking messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today," noting that he himself was not among those let go. He went on to explain, "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The layoffs were confirmed by Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who specifically mentioned that members of the marketing department were affected.
He listed four individuals whose positions were eliminated. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager at Schell Games posted further details, naming colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions who were also impacted.
Based on the aggregate of these posts, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been let go. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists its total headcount as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, suggesting that the cuts represent a meaningful percentage of the workforce. 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. 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." This sentiment underscores the personal toll that corporate restructuring can have on long‑standing team members.
The decision to downsize comes at a time when Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has publicly maintained a strong opposition to job cuts. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods. He said, "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 remarks reflect a broader industry conversation about sustainability, especially as the gaming sector faces a period of volatility.
Over the past few years, many studios have reported shrinking revenues, rising development costs, and shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models and streaming platforms. These pressures have forced several mid‑size developers to reevaluate staffing levels, sometimes resulting in layoffs, studio closures, or mergers. The current wave of reductions at Schell Games can be seen as part of this larger trend. While the studio has historically been praised for its innovative approach to interactive experiences—blending narrative, puzzle‑solving, and immersive technology—the economic realities of producing high‑quality titles in a competitive market can be unforgiving.
Even companies with strong brand recognition and a loyal fan base may find themselves needing to cut costs when revenue streams falter or when projected returns on new projects do not materialize as expected. Industry analysts note that the timing of these layoffs aligns with a broader contraction across the sector. Recent reports have highlighted similar moves at other mid‑tier studios, many of which cite "market hemorrhaging" as a euphemism for declining sales, reduced ad spend, and the lingering effects of global supply‑chain disruptions.
In this context, Schell Games’ decision, while seemingly at odds with its CEO’s previous statements, may reflect a pragmatic response to an environment where cash flow constraints outweigh idealistic commitments. The reaction from the gaming community has been mixed. Long‑time fans of the I Expect You To Die series expressed concern for the affected staff, posting supportive messages and offering to help with job searches.
Meanwhile, some observers pointed out that the studio’s public stance on job security could have set expectations that were difficult to uphold under current market conditions. As of now, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs, seeking clarification on the factors that led to the decision and how the company plans to support the displaced employees. No response has been published at the time of writing. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its creative contributions to both casual and immersive gaming, has entered a difficult phase marked by its first-ever workforce reductions.
While the move affects a relatively small portion of its total staff, it signals the broader challenges facing the video‑game industry as it navigates financial uncertainty, evolving consumer habits, and the relentless pressure to deliver innovative experiences within tight budgetary constraints.