Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of Among Us and for the popular I Expect You to Die puzzle‑adventure series, has reportedly begun a wave of layoffs across its ranks. The news emerged after several employees posted about the cuts on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer and other industry outlets.
The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company experienced its inaugural round of layoffs on a Friday. The manager emphasized that the reductions were not tied to any personal performance issues, stating, "This isn’t a result of any individual’s actions. Our sector is currently bleeding heavily." The comment reflected a broader sentiment that the video‑game market, along with related entertainment fields, is undergoing a period of financial strain and uncertainty.
Marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr. corroborated the story, confirming that the marketing department was among those affected.
He went on to name four colleagues who were part of the layoff list. In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager shared further details, identifying staff members from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were also let go.
By tallying the various LinkedIn announcements, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted in total. The company’s LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 employees, which suggests that the cuts represent a modest but noticeable percentage of the overall staff. One of the affected public‑relations professionals expressed mixed emotions in a farewell post.
"I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years," the employee 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." These layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken out 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 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 underscored a commitment to safeguarding staff even when a project fails to generate revenue, a stance that resonated with many industry observers who view employee security as a critical metric of a studio’s ethical standards.
However, the recent reductions suggest that the economic pressures facing the broader gaming ecosystem may have forced the company to reconsider its earlier assurances. The timing of the layoffs aligns with a broader trend of contraction within the video‑game sector.
Over the past year, numerous mid‑size and indie studios have announced workforce reductions, citing factors such as rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models, and a slowdown in publishing deals. Analysts point to a post‑pandemic correction in which the surge of investment that fueled rapid expansion in 2020‑2021 has tapered, leaving many firms to tighten budgets and reassess staffing levels. For Schell Games, the decision may also reflect the challenges of balancing its dual focus on educational experiences and entertainment titles. While the I Expect You to Die series has cultivated a dedicated fan base and generated steady sales, the studio’s forays into educational and corporate training simulations often involve longer development cycles and less predictable revenue streams.
The combination of these variables could have contributed to a cash‑flow situation where maintaining the full complement of staff became untenable. Industry insiders note that layoffs can have ripple effects beyond the immediate loss of jobs.
Morale among remaining employees can suffer, project timelines may be delayed, and the studio’s reputation among prospective talent can be impacted. Nevertheless, some commentators argue that a measured reduction, if executed transparently and with generous severance packages, can ultimately stabilize a company and position it for future growth once market conditions improve.
Schell Games has not issued an official press release regarding the layoffs, and GamesIndustry.biz’s request for comment has gone unanswered so far. The lack of a formal statement leaves room for speculation about the company’s longer‑term strategy and whether additional restructuring might be on the horizon. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its creative contributions to both mainstream and niche gaming experiences, is navigating a difficult period marked by its first ever staff reductions. While the cuts affect a relatively small number of employees compared with the studio’s total headcount, they signal the broader financial headwinds that many developers are confronting today.
The situation underscores the tension between a founder’s public commitment to job security and the harsh realities of an industry that is currently "hemorrhaging" resources. As the market continues to evolve, observers will be watching closely to see how Schell Games adapts its business model and whether it can uphold its values while ensuring financial sustainability.