Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die franchise, has reportedly begun cutting staff positions. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by industry outlet Game Developer.
The first public indication of the reductions came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted on Friday that Schell Games was conducting its inaugural round of layoffs. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they added a note of reassurance for their colleagues: "This isn’t a result of any individual actions. Our sector is currently bleeding profusely, both within the gaming world and beyond." Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, who identified that the marketing department was directly impacted and listed four individuals who were affected. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager at Schell Games supplied names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the cuts were spread across multiple disciplines rather than isolated to a single function.
By tallying the publicly shared names, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been let go. This figure is notable given the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members. The proportion of layoffs therefore represents a meaningful slice of the organization’s workforce.
One of the displaced employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a follow‑up post. "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 timing of the layoffs is striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has long spoken out against the practice of cutting jobs as a cost‑saving measure. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized a philosophy that separates financial risk from employee security.
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 rather absorb financial uncertainty than jeopardize its staff, a stance that has resonated with many within the industry as a model of responsible leadership. However, the recent cuts appear to contradict that public commitment, raising questions about the pressures the studio is facing.
The broader context for these layoffs is a challenging economic environment for video‑game developers. Over the past year, the industry has experienced a slowdown in consumer spending, rising development costs, and heightened competition from both established publishers and an influx of indie titles. Many studios have reported revenue shortfalls, leading to a wave of workforce reductions across the sector.
Analysts describe the situation as a "hemorrhaging" of talent and resources, with companies forced to re‑evaluate budgets, project scopes, and staffing levels. For Schell Games, the impact may be compounded by its dual focus on both entertainment and educational experiences. The studio has built a reputation for creating immersive, narrative‑driven games that blend learning objectives with engaging gameplay.
Projects such as the I Expect You to Die series have garnered awards for their innovative design, while collaborations on educational titles have positioned Schell Games as a leader in serious‑games development. Balancing the financial demands of high‑quality production with the need to sustain a diverse team can be especially difficult when market conditions tighten. Industry observers note that layoffs, while painful, can sometimes lead to strategic pivots.
Companies may use the reduction in headcount to streamline operations, focus on core IP, or explore new business models such as service‑based games, licensing deals, or partnerships with larger publishers. In the case of Schell Games, the future direction remains unclear. The studio’s public statements have not detailed whether the layoffs are tied to a specific project cancellation, a shift in strategic priorities, or broader cost‑cutting measures.
Employees who remain at Schell Games are likely to face increased workloads as they absorb responsibilities previously handled by their former colleagues. This can create a challenging environment, but it may also foster opportunities for professional growth and cross‑disciplinary collaboration. The company’s leadership will need to communicate transparently about the roadmap ahead, providing reassurance that the core values—particularly the commitment to employee security—remain intact.
In the wake of the announcements, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on the reasons behind the layoffs and how they align with the studio’s publicly stated philosophy. As of now, no official response has been published. The situation at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of the wider turbulence affecting the gaming sector.
While the studio’s earlier declarations painted a picture of unwavering job security, the reality of a volatile market has forced a reassessment. For the affected staff, the transition may be difficult, but many have expressed gratitude for the experiences and relationships built during their tenure. For the remaining team, the path forward will involve navigating the delicate balance between financial stewardship and the creative ambitions that have defined Schell Games’ brand. In summary, Schell Games—once heralded for its innovative titles and steadfast stance on protecting jobs—has now entered a period of downsizing, with approximately fourteen employees across marketing, art, design, and visual effects losing their positions.
The layoffs underscore the broader industry challenges and raise questions about how the studio will reconcile its past commitments with the pressing need to adapt to an uncertain economic climate.