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 series, has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees began to surface early last week, indicating that the cuts started on a Friday and have already affected a notable portion of the workforce. The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games had conducted its inaugural layoff round that day. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those whose positions were terminated.
In the same post, they added a broader context, noting that the reductions were not tied to any personal performance issues but rather reflected a systemic downturn that is gripping the entire gaming sector and spilling over into related creative industries. "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," the manager wrote, underscoring the widespread nature of the challenges. Further confirmation came from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who specifically mentioned that the marketing department was among those hit by the cuts.
He went on to name four colleagues who were directly impacted, offering a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager for Schell Games shared a longer list of names spanning the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the reductions were not confined to a single functional area but were spread across multiple disciplines within the company. Based on the aggregation of these posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been let go in this round.
This figure is particularly striking when placed against the backdrop of Schell Games’ publicly listed headcount, which ranges between 51 and 200 staff members according to the company’s LinkedIn profile. If the higher end of that range is accurate, the layoffs represent roughly a 7‑10 percent reduction in workforce, a sizable contraction for a studio of its size.
One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, posted a reflective farewell 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, acknowledging the emotional weight of departing after a substantial tenure. Yet the same message also conveyed a sense of accomplishment: "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 highlights the dual reality many departing employees face—grieving the loss of a stable position while also celebrating the contributions they made while there.
The layoffs are especially noteworthy because they appear to contradict the long‑standing public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has repeatedly emphasized a commitment to preserving jobs even in financially turbulent times. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from employment risk. He explained that while the studio is willing to invest cash and accept monetary loss when developing a new title, it deliberately avoids putting its staff’s livelihoods on the line.
"At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk," Schell said. "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." The apparent divergence between Schell’s earlier assurances and the current layoff action raises questions about the pressures the studio may be facing.
While the company has not issued an official statement beyond the employee‑generated posts, the broader industry context offers some clues. The video‑game sector has been experiencing a period of consolidation, rising development costs, and shifting consumer preferences, all of which have forced many studios—large and small—to re‑evaluate staffing levels.
Moreover, the lingering effects of global economic uncertainty, including inflation and reduced discretionary spending, have compounded the challenges for companies that rely heavily on consumer spending for revenue. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment on the situation, seeking clarification on how the recent cuts align with the company’s previously stated employment philosophy and what steps, if any, are being taken to mitigate further workforce reductions. As of now, no response has been publicly shared.
In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its innovative contributions to both casual and immersive gaming experiences, is navigating a difficult period marked by its first-ever layoffs. The cuts affect a cross‑section of the organization, from marketing to art and visual effects, and have prompted reflection from departing staff about their time at the company. While the layoffs appear to run counter to the CEO’s prior public commitment to protecting jobs, they also mirror a wider industry trend of contraction in response to economic headwinds.
The full impact on the studio’s future projects and its internal culture remains to be seen, pending further comment from leadership.