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 confirmed that it is undergoing a round of staff reductions. The news broke after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by the industry outlet Game Developer. The first public indication of the cuts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company experienced its inaugural layoff event on a Friday. The manager emphasized that the decision was not tied to any personal performance issues, noting, "This isn’t a result of anything you did or didn’t do.
Our industry – and the broader market – is hemorrhaging right now." Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who disclosed that the marketing department was among those affected. He listed four individuals who would be leaving the company. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager shared names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the reductions spanned multiple disciplines. Based on the aggregate of these LinkedIn posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted.
This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging from 51 to 200 staff members, suggesting that the cuts represent a meaningful percentage of the studio’s total headcount. One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt message. "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 layoffs are particularly striking because they come at a time when Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, has been vocal about his opposition to job cuts.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. He stated, "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 reflected a broader industry trend in which many independent studios strive to protect their teams even when projects underperform or market conditions deteriorate.
However, the recent statements from Schell Games staff suggest that the reality of a "bleeding" market has forced the studio to reconsider its stance. The broader gaming landscape has indeed been turbulent over the past year.
Revenue forecasts have been revised downward, publishing deals have become more conservative, and consumer spending on games has shown signs of flattening after several years of robust growth. These macro‑economic pressures have prompted a wave of restructuring across the sector, affecting both large publishers and smaller developers alike. For Schell Games, the timing of the layoffs raises questions about the sustainability of its business model, which relies heavily on educational and experiential titles for museums, theme parks, and corporate training programs. While the studio has enjoyed success with immersive experiences and narrative‑driven puzzles, the shift toward digital‑only distribution and the lingering effects of the pandemic have altered the demand dynamics for such projects.
Industry analysts speculate that the cuts may be an attempt to streamline operations and preserve cash flow while the company explores new revenue streams. Potential avenues include expanding into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences for enterprise clients, licensing existing IP for merchandise, or partnering with larger publishers to co‑develop titles that can reach broader audiences.
Despite the setback, many former employees remain optimistic about their future prospects. The senior public‑relations manager’s message highlighted a sense of accomplishment and a network of professional relationships that could translate into new opportunities. In the tech and gaming sectors, talent mobility is high, and seasoned creators often find roles at other studios, startups, or even launch independent projects.
As of now, Schell Games has not issued an official press release addressing the layoffs, and GamesIndustry.biz’s request for comment has not yet been answered. The studio’s LinkedIn page continues to list its services and recent projects, suggesting that the company intends to maintain its public presence while it navigates this transitional period.
In summary, Schell Games’ recent staff reductions underscore the challenging environment that many mid‑size developers face today. While the company’s leadership has historically championed job security, the current economic climate appears to have compelled a reassessment of that philosophy.
The affected employees have expressed both disappointment and gratitude, and the broader industry will be watching to see how Schell Games adapts its strategy moving forward.