Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a wave of staff reductions. The news broke after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer and other industry outlets.
The first public indication of the cuts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted on LinkedIn that Schell Games experienced its "first ever layoffs" on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they added a broader perspective on the situation: "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The phrasing underscores a sentiment that the layoffs are driven by macro‑economic pressures rather than individual performance. Marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr.
also weighed in, confirming that the marketing department was directly affected. He listed four colleagues who were part of the reduction, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers. In addition, the studio’s senior public relations manager shared further details, naming several staff members from the art, design, and visual effects teams who were impacted.
These multiple sources suggest that the layoff wave touched a cross‑section of the company’s talent pool. Based on the combined LinkedIn posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been let go.
This figure is notable when placed against Schell Games’ self‑reported size on its LinkedIn page, which lists the studio as employing between 51 and 200 people. Whether the company sits at the lower or higher end of that range, a reduction of fourteen staff members represents a significant percentage of its workforce, especially for a studio that has historically emphasized stability and employee well‑being. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective LinkedIn update. "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 sentiment captures the bittersweet nature of involuntary departures: while the loss is painful, the individual also acknowledges the value of the experiences and relationships forged during their tenure. The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long positioned the studio as an employer that avoids cutting jobs. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from staff risk.
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 comments reflect a broader industry conversation about how studios balance the inherent volatility of game development with the desire to protect employees from abrupt terminations. Many developers argue that a sustainable business model should include contingency plans that preserve staff during lean periods, while others point out that cash flow constraints can force even well‑intentioned companies to make difficult decisions. The current situation at Schell Games appears to be a case where external pressures—perhaps a slowdown in revenue, shifting market dynamics, or broader economic headwinds—have overridden the studio’s previous commitment to job security. While the exact financial triggers have not been disclosed, the phrase "our industry is hemorrhaging" suggests that the layoffs are part of a larger trend affecting many mid‑size studios across the United States and beyond.
Industry analysts note that the past year has seen a wave of consolidation, funding cuts, and cautious spending among publishers, leading to a tighter environment for independent developers. Even studios with strong portfolios and reputable leadership have felt the squeeze, prompting cost‑saving measures that often include staff reductions. Schell Games, despite its reputation for innovative VR experiences and a loyal fan base, is not immune to these forces.
The response from the wider gaming community has been one of empathy and concern. Fans of the I Expect You to Die series, as well as players who enjoyed the immersive Among Us 3D experience, have taken to social media to express support for the affected employees and to question how the studio plans to navigate the future.
Some commentators have called for greater transparency from the leadership team, asking for details about the company’s financial health, upcoming projects, and any potential plans to re‑hire or restructure. In the meantime, Schell Games has not issued an official press release addressing the layoffs.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to the studio for comment, but as of the time of writing, no formal response has been provided. The lack of an immediate statement leaves room for speculation and underscores the importance of clear communication during periods of organizational change. For the employees who remain, the situation likely brings a mix of uncertainty and resolve. The remaining staff will need to adapt to a leaner team structure, potentially taking on additional responsibilities or shifting focus to priority projects that can sustain the studio’s revenue streams.
The company’s ability to maintain morale and continue delivering high‑quality experiences will be a critical test of its leadership and culture. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its creative contributions to the VR and party‑game space, has announced its first-ever layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen employees across marketing, art, design, and visual effects. The cuts come despite CEO Jesse Schell’s previously vocal commitment to protecting jobs, highlighting the challenging economic climate that even well‑established developers now face. As the industry watches, the hope remains that Schell Games will find a path forward that honors its legacy of innovation while safeguarding the well‑being of its remaining talent.