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* puzzle‑action series, has recently confirmed that it is cutting staff. The news surfaced after a number of employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by the industry outlet Game Developer.
The first public indication of the cuts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company was undergoing its "first ever layoffs" on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and added a brief explanation that the reductions were not tied to individual performance. "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," the post read, echoing a sentiment that many in the broader gaming sector have expressed over the past months. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who identified members of the marketing team as part of the affected group and listed four specific employees who were losing their positions. In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager shared a separate set of names from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, indicating that the cuts were spread across multiple disciplines rather than being confined to a single function. By tallying the publicly shared names and cross‑referencing them with other LinkedIn updates, observers estimate that roughly fourteen individuals have been impacted by the downsizing.
This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the company’s headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 employees, suggesting that the layoffs represent a non‑trivial percentage of the workforce. One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, posted a reflective message that captured both disappointment and pride.
"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 thread in layoff narratives: while the immediate circumstance is painful, many departing staff members choose to focus on the positive experiences and professional growth they achieved while at the firm. The layoffs are particularly striking because they appear to contradict the public position taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, on the subject of job security. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separated financial risk from the risk to employees.
He stated, "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." That stance, which emphasized a commitment to preserving employment even in the face of financial uncertainty, now seems at odds with the recent reductions. The contrast has sparked discussion among industry watchers about whether the broader market pressures—such as declining consumer spending, rising development costs, and a slowdown in the release calendar—have forced even the most principled studios to reconsider their staffing strategies. The gaming sector as a whole has been experiencing a turbulent period.
After a years‑long boom fueled by mobile gaming, live‑service titles, and a surge in indie development, many companies are now confronting a market correction. Revenue growth has plateaued in several key regions, and investors are demanding tighter margins. This environment has led to a wave of layoffs across the industry, affecting publishers, developers, and support services alike.
Schell Games’ announcement can therefore be seen as part of this larger trend, rather than an isolated incident. In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on how the company reconciles its recent actions with the earlier public commitments made by its founder. As of the time of writing, no official statement beyond the employee‑generated posts has been released by the studio.
The layoffs also raise questions about the future direction of Schell Games’ projects. The studio has built a reputation for blending immersive gameplay with educational and narrative depth, often collaborating with museums, theme parks, and corporate partners to create experiences that go beyond traditional gaming. Whether the recent reductions will impact upcoming titles, ongoing contracts, or the studio’s ability to innovate remains to be seen.
For the employees who have been let go, the transition may involve navigating severance packages, job‑search assistance, and the emotional toll of leaving a workplace where they have invested significant time and creative energy. Many former staff members have expressed gratitude toward their colleagues and the leadership team, indicating that despite the abrupt ending, the professional relationships forged at Schell Games have left a lasting, positive impression. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its inventive contributions to both entertainment and educational gaming, has announced its first round of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen workers across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects.
The move appears to contradict the company's previously stated philosophy of protecting jobs at all costs, highlighting the harsh realities currently confronting the gaming industry at large. As the sector continues to grapple with financial headwinds, studios like Schell Games must balance their creative ambitions with the practical need to maintain sustainable operations, a challenge that may unfortunately result in further personnel adjustments in the future.