Schell Games, the development 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 franchise, has reportedly begun a round of employee layoffs. The news surfaced after several team members posted about the cuts on LinkedIn, a pattern that was first highlighted in a recent article from Game Developer. One of the first public mentions came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that the company was undergoing its "first ever layoffs" on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those being let go and emphasized that the reductions were not tied to any personal performance issues.
"This isn’t a result of any individual actions. Our industry is currently bleeding heavily," the manager wrote, echoing a sentiment that many in the broader gaming sector have expressed over the past months. The marketing department was also directly impacted, as confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr. In his LinkedIn update, Waite listed four colleagues from the marketing team who were part of the layoff wave.
Further details emerged when the senior public‑relations manager at Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions, indicating that the cuts spanned multiple disciplines within the studio. Based on the publicly shared information, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by this round of reductions. While Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the studio as employing between 51 and 200 people, the exact proportion of the workforce impacted remains unclear. Nonetheless, the loss of fourteen positions represents a noticeable contraction for a midsize studio that has historically prided itself on a collaborative, tightly knit culture.
The public‑relations manager offered a reflective note on the departure, writing, "I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years. 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 both the personal disappointment of leaving a long‑term employer and a sense of gratitude for the collaborative experiences that defined their tenure.
The 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 the industry. 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 highlighted a commitment to preserving staff even during periods of financial uncertainty, a principle that resonated with many developers who have watched larger publishers downsize their workforces in recent years.
The current situation at Schell Games therefore raises questions about the pressures that may have forced the studio to deviate from its previously stated policy. Industry analysts suggest that the broader market environment could be a key factor. The video‑game sector has experienced a series of revenue contractions, with several high‑profile releases underperforming and advertising spend tightening across the board. Smaller studios, which often rely on a steady pipeline of contracts and publishing deals, can feel these shocks more acutely.
Schell Games, which balances original IP development with contract work for educational and corporate clients, may have faced a shortfall in expected revenue streams, prompting the difficult decision to reduce headcount. In addition to market forces, the studio’s recent project slate could also be influencing the layoffs. While the company has enjoyed success with titles like I Expect You To Die, which blends puzzle‑solving with immersive virtual‑reality experiences, the development cycles for such games can be lengthy and resource‑intensive. If upcoming releases have been delayed or if new contracts have not materialized as projected, the cash flow needed to sustain a larger team could have been compromised.
The impact of these layoffs extends beyond the individuals directly affected. Colleagues who remain at Schell Games may experience increased workloads as they absorb responsibilities previously handled by the departing staff.
This can lead to heightened stress and potential burnout, especially in a creative environment where tight deadlines and high production values are the norm. Moreover, the morale of the remaining team can be shaken, as the perception of job security is altered. From a broader perspective, the situation at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of the challenges facing mid‑size game developers today.
Balancing creative ambition with fiscal prudence is a delicate act, and even studios that publicly champion employee stability may find themselves forced to make tough choices when market conditions shift. The episode underscores the importance of diversified revenue streams, robust financial planning, and transparent communication with staff during periods of uncertainty.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs, but as of now no response has been published. The lack of an immediate statement from the leadership leaves room for speculation about the exact drivers behind the decision and whether additional rounds of reductions might be forthcoming. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its innovative contributions to both mainstream and niche gaming experiences, has entered a period of contraction, laying off approximately fourteen employees across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects.
While the layoffs contradict the company’s previously articulated ethos of protecting jobs, they reflect the harsh realities of a volatile industry where even well‑established studios must adapt quickly to shifting financial landscapes. The hope among those watching the story unfold is that Schell Games can navigate this challenging phase, preserve its core creative talent, and emerge stronger once market conditions improve.