Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for producing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has recently been forced to reduce its workforce. According to a report published by Game Developer, a series of LinkedIn updates from current employees revealed that the company began laying off staff as early as last Friday.
One of the first public indications of the cuts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted, "Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs today." The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and added a poignant note: "This is not a consequence of anything you did or failed to do. Our industry—and indeed many other sectors—are currently hemorrhaging." The news was further corroborated by the studio’s marketing director, Dwayne Waite Jr., who confirmed that the reductions impacted the marketing department. He went on to name four individuals who were directly affected. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager at Schell Games shared a longer list of names, indicating that the layoffs also reached into the art, design, and visual‑effects teams.
Based on the collective information posted by employees, it appears that roughly fourteen people have been impacted by the downsizing. This figure is notable when compared with the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which lists its headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 employees.
The relatively small size of the studio means that a reduction of this magnitude represents a significant percentage of its total staff. 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 disheartening way to close this chapter, especially after nearly six years with the company," they wrote. "Nevertheless, I leave feeling proud of what I was able to achieve during my tenure, and I’m deeply grateful for the colleagues I had the privilege to build with." The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long advocated against job cuts.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. He explained, "At the core of our approach is the decision not to jeopardize jobs. We are willing to risk cash when we develop a game, but we do not gamble with people’s livelihoods." Schell continued, "Even if our own intellectual property generates zero revenue, we have not placed any jobs in jeopardy—we still retain a viable path forward that allows us to keep our team intact. In many respects, this is a deliberate choice we make as a company." Despite these assurances, the recent cuts suggest that external market pressures have become too severe to ignore.
The broader video‑game industry has been experiencing a period of contraction, with several mid‑size studios reporting similar workforce reductions over the past year. Factors contributing to this downturn include rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models, and a tightening of advertising budgets across the sector.
For Schell Games, the timing of the layoffs may also be tied to the performance of its recent releases. While the studio has enjoyed critical success, the commercial returns on titles such as the I Expect You to Die series have been modest compared with blockbuster franchises. The shift toward more aggressive monetization strategies in the industry may have left a studio that focuses on narrative‑driven, premium experiences in a precarious financial position.
Industry observers note that the decision to cut staff, even in a company that has publicly vowed to protect employment, underscores the reality that even well‑intentioned business models can be vulnerable to macro‑economic forces. As Schell Games navigates this challenging period, the company’s leadership will likely need to balance its commitment to its workforce with the practical necessity of maintaining fiscal stability.
The impact on the remaining employees is also a point of concern. Morale can suffer after a layoff, especially when the cuts are perceived as contradictory to previously stated values.
The studio will need to invest in transparent communication, provide support for those transitioning out, and perhaps re‑evaluate its project pipeline to ensure that future releases can sustain the remaining team without further reductions. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the situation, but as of now no response has been received. The unfolding story serves as a reminder that even studios with a strong reputation for creative excellence are not immune to the financial headwinds that currently affect the wider gaming ecosystem.