Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has recently been forced to cut its workforce. The news broke after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting a broader report from Game Developer. The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs on a Friday.
The manager emphasized that the reductions were not tied to any personal performance issues, stating, "This isn’t a result of any individual actions. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The phrasing underscores a wider malaise affecting not just video‑game developers but also adjacent creative sectors, where budget constraints and shifting market dynamics have led to a wave of job losses.
Further confirmation arrived from the company’s marketing director, Dwayne Waite Jr., who acknowledged that the marketing department was among those impacted. He listed four specific team members who were let go, and the studio’s senior public relations manager later added names from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions.
By tallying the publicly shared information, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected across various functions. Schell Games’ LinkedIn page lists its total headcount as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, suggesting that the layoffs represent a modest but still significant percentage of the overall workforce.
The public relations manager, reflecting on the experience, wrote, "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 captures both the personal disappointment of those leaving and the professional pride in the projects they helped bring to life. The cuts are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long positioned the studio as a company that protects its employees from financial volatility.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell explained that the studio separates financial risk from staff risk, insisting that the company would rather jeopardize cash flow than place jobs in jeopardy. 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." Despite those assurances, the recent layoffs reveal that even studios with a strong philosophical commitment to employee security can be forced to make difficult decisions when external pressures mount. The gaming industry has been grappling with a confluence of challenges: rising development costs, a saturated market, shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models, and macro‑economic headwinds that tighten discretionary spending. For mid‑size developers like Schell Games, which often rely on a mix of contract work, educational partnerships, and original IP, a slowdown in any of these revenue streams can quickly translate into budget shortfalls.
Industry analysts point out that the broader trend of "hemorrhaging" talent is not limited to independent studios. Large publishers have also announced workforce reductions, citing similar reasons such as delayed releases, lower-than‑expected sales, and the need to reallocate resources to higher‑margin projects. The ripple effect can be especially pronounced for studios that serve as subcontractors or provide specialized services—areas where Schell Games has built a reputation for immersive experiences and innovative gameplay mechanics.
The layoffs also raise questions about the future direction of Schell Games’ portfolio. The studio has earned a reputation for blending educational content with engaging gameplay, producing titles that are used in classrooms and museums worldwide. Its work on the I Expect You to Die series, a spy‑themed puzzle adventure, has been praised for its narrative depth and clever use of virtual‑reality technology. Meanwhile, the 3D adaptation of Among Us demonstrated the studio’s ability to take a popular 2D concept and expand it into a fully realized three‑dimensional environment, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers.
If the company can navigate these turbulent times, it may double down on its core strengths—high‑quality, experience‑driven games that serve both entertainment and educational markets. Some observers suggest that Schell Games could explore additional partnerships with educational institutions, leveraging its track record to secure stable, long‑term contracts that are less vulnerable to market swings. Others speculate that the studio might pivot toward more service‑oriented projects, such as creating bespoke VR experiences for corporate training or museum exhibitions, which can provide a steadier revenue stream. Regardless of the path forward, the human element remains central.
The affected employees, many of whom have contributed to award‑winning titles, now face the challenge of finding new roles in a competitive job market. The industry’s talent pool is increasingly fluid, with many developers moving between studios, freelancing, or even transitioning into adjacent fields like augmented reality, simulation, or interactive media for advertising. Support networks, alumni groups, and professional associations are likely to play a crucial role in helping these professionals land their next positions. Schell Games has not yet issued an official statement beyond the individual LinkedIn posts, and GamesIndustry.biz reports that attempts to contact the studio for comment have not yielded a response at this time.
As the situation develops, stakeholders—including current employees, former staff, partners, and fans—will be watching closely to see how the studio balances its commitment to employee welfare with the harsh financial realities of today’s gaming ecosystem. In summary, Schell Games’ recent staff reductions underscore a broader industry trend of financial strain and workforce volatility. While the company’s leadership has historically championed job security, external pressures have forced a reassessment of that philosophy.
The layoffs affect a cross‑section of roles—from marketing and public relations to art, design, and visual effects—impacting roughly fourteen individuals out of a workforce that sits somewhere between fifty‑one and two hundred employees. As the studio navigates this difficult period, its future will likely hinge on its ability to adapt its business model, secure diversified revenue streams, and maintain the creative excellence that has defined its brand since its inception.