Schell Games, the development studio best known for collaborating on the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for creating the critically acclaimed I Expect You To Die series, has confirmed that it is cutting staff positions. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting a broader report from Game Developer that detailed the timeline and scope of the reductions.
The first public indication of the cuts came on a Friday when the studio’s principal engineering manager shared a brief but poignant update. "Schell Games had its first ever layoffs today," the manager wrote, noting that they themselves were not among those being let go. The post quickly garnered attention from other team members, who added context and expressed the collective sentiment that the layoffs were not a reflection of personal performance. "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," the engineering manager explained, underscoring the broader market pressures that have been affecting game developers across the board. Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who identified that the marketing department was among those impacted. He listed four individuals from his team who were affected, providing a human face to the otherwise abstract numbers.
In addition, the senior public relations manager for Schell Games posted a separate update that named several colleagues from the art, design, and visual effects divisions who were also part of the downsizing. These combined posts suggest that roughly fourteen employees have been let go, a figure that represents a noticeable portion of the studio’s workforce given that its LinkedIn profile indicates a headcount ranging between 51 and 200 staff members.
The public relations manager, while acknowledging the disappointment of the situation, also reflected on the positive aspects of their tenure at Schell Games. "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." This sentiment captures a common theme among those affected by industry‑wide layoffs: a mixture of sadness over the abrupt ending and gratitude for the collaborative experiences and professional growth they enjoyed while at the company. The layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public stance taken by 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’ livelihoods. 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 highlighted a commitment to protecting staff even when a project fails to generate revenue, suggesting that the studio would rather absorb financial losses than lay off its workforce. However, the recent cuts illustrate how external market forces—such as declining consumer spending, rising development costs, and a broader industry contraction—can force even the most well‑intentioned companies to make difficult decisions. The gaming sector has been experiencing a prolonged period of turbulence. Over the past few years, a combination of macro‑economic headwinds, shifting consumer preferences, and an oversaturation of titles has led to what many analysts describe as a "bleeding" market.
Studios of all sizes have reported revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, and, consequently, workforce reductions. In this environment, even studios that have historically prioritized employee stability find themselves grappling with the reality that cash flow constraints can outweigh philosophical commitments. For Schell Games, the immediate impact of the layoffs includes the loss of talent across several core functions: marketing, art, design, and visual effects. These departments are integral to both the creative direction and the commercial success of the studio’s projects.
Marketing drives awareness and sales, while art and design shape the visual identity that distinguishes a game in a crowded marketplace. Visual effects, meanwhile, add the polish that can elevate a title from good to memorable. The departure of staff in these areas may necessitate a temporary slowdown in new initiatives as the remaining team members adjust workloads and re‑allocate responsibilities. Despite the setback, Schell Games remains a recognizable name in the industry, thanks to its portfolio of immersive experiences and its reputation for innovative gameplay mechanics.
The studio’s involvement in the 3D adaptation of Among Us demonstrated its ability to translate a simple, socially driven game into a more complex, spatially aware experience. Meanwhile, the I Expect You To Die series has carved out a niche for itself with its blend of puzzle‑solving, narrative intrigue, and VR technology. These successes suggest that the company still possesses valuable intellectual property and a strong creative foundation that could help it navigate the current downturn.
Looking ahead, the studio may explore several strategies to stabilize its operations and rebuild its workforce. One possible avenue is to focus on smaller, lower‑risk projects that require fewer resources while still delivering quality experiences to their audience. Another option could involve seeking strategic partnerships or external funding to offset development costs without compromising staff positions.
Additionally, leveraging the existing fan base of its successful titles could generate community‑driven support, such as crowdfunding campaigns or early‑access releases, to sustain cash flow. The broader lesson for the gaming community is that even companies with a clear ethical stance on employment can be vulnerable to market volatility. Transparency, as demonstrated by the employees who shared their experiences on LinkedIn, helps shed light on the human side of these business decisions and can foster a more empathetic industry dialogue.
As Schell Games works through this challenging period, its leadership will likely need to balance the ideals expressed by Jesse Schell with the practical realities of maintaining a viable business in an uncertain economic climate. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment on the recent layoffs, and further updates may be forthcoming as the situation evolves. In the meantime, the affected employees and their colleagues continue to reflect on their contributions, celebrate the projects they helped bring to life, and look forward to new opportunities within the ever‑changing landscape of game development.