Schell Games, the development 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 recently been forced to cut staff positions. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer magazine.
The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the organization experienced its inaugural round of layoffs on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go and emphasized that the reductions were not tied to any personal performance issues. "This isn’t a result of any individual’s actions. Our industry is currently bleeding heavily," the post read, reflecting a broader sense of uncertainty across the gaming sector.
Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, added further confirmation that the marketing department was directly impacted. He identified four colleagues who were part of the cut, and the studio’s senior public‑relations manager later shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams. By tallying the various LinkedIn announcements, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been affected in total. The company’s LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members, suggesting that the layoffs represent a noticeable, though not catastrophic, percentage of its overall headcount.
The public‑relations manager, who also posted a heartfelt farewell note, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride. "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 tone of the message underscored both the personal impact of the cuts and the professional satisfaction derived from years of collaborative creation. These layoffs are particularly striking given the long‑standing public position taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has consistently spoken out against job reductions.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. 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 remarks suggested that the studio would prioritize staff security even in the face of uncertain revenue streams, opting to absorb financial losses rather than lay off employees. The recent round of cuts, therefore, appears to contradict that earlier stance, raising questions about the pressures the company is currently confronting. Industry analysts point to several possible factors that could have contributed to the decision.
First, the broader video‑game market has been experiencing a slowdown, with many publishers reporting lower-than‑expected sales and a tightening of development budgets. Second, the lingering effects of the global economic slowdown have made it harder for mid‑size studios to secure external financing or maintain cash flow during periods of low revenue. Finally, the competitive landscape for immersive and VR experiences—areas where Schell Games has historically excelled—has become increasingly crowded, potentially diluting the studio’s market share.
While the exact financial details of Schell Games remain private, the company’s public LinkedIn profile indicates a workforce size that places it in the small‑to‑medium bracket. A reduction of fourteen employees could represent anywhere from five to ten percent of its total staff, a figure that, while not devastating, is significant enough to affect project timelines, morale, and the studio’s capacity to take on new contracts. The affected employees span a range of disciplines, from marketing and public relations to visual effects, art, and design.
This breadth suggests that the cuts were not limited to a single department but rather reflect a more holistic restructuring effort. Some observers speculate that the studio may be reallocating resources toward its core competencies—namely, interactive narrative experiences and educational VR titles—while scaling back ancillary functions that are less directly tied to revenue generation.
In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment. As of the time of writing, the studio has not issued a formal press release addressing the layoffs, leaving the community to piece together the story from employee testimonies and social‑media posts. The episode serves as a sobering reminder that even studios with strong reputations and a track record of innovative titles are not immune to the financial headwinds that can sweep through the gaming industry.
For the departing staff members, the transition may be challenging, but many have expressed gratitude for the experiences and relationships forged during their tenure. For the remaining team, the path forward will likely involve a careful balancing act: preserving the creative vision that has defined Schell Games while navigating the economic realities that now demand a leaner operational model. As the industry continues to evolve, the situation at Schell Games underscores the importance of adaptable business strategies, transparent communication, and a steadfast commitment to the people who bring virtual worlds to life.
The hope among observers is that the studio can weather this storm, honor the contributions of those who have left, and emerge with a renewed focus on delivering the engaging, story‑driven experiences that have become its hallmark.