Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a wave of layoffs affecting several of its employees. The news broke after Game Developer published a story that highlighted a series of LinkedIn updates posted by members of the Schell Games team.
These updates indicated that the downsizing process began on a Friday and has continued into the weekend. One of the first posts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs today." The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those whose positions were terminated. The post went on to reassure colleagues, stating, "This isn’t a result of anything you did or failed to do. Our industry—and indeed the broader entertainment sector—are bleeding heavily right now." The marketing division also felt the impact.
Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, confirmed that the cuts reached the marketing team and even listed four individuals whose roles were eliminated. In addition, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games shared further details, naming staff members from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments who were also let go. From the collective information posted online, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by the layoffs.
This figure is noteworthy given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn company page lists its workforce as ranging between 51 and 200 people, suggesting that the cuts represent a significant percentage of the overall staff. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt LinkedIn comment: "I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years with the studio.
However, I walk away proud of what I accomplished during my tenure, and I’m grateful for the people I got to build with." The sentiment reflects a common theme among those who have been let go—recognition of personal contributions despite the unfortunate circumstances. The layoffs are particularly striking because they occur in spite of the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken out against job cuts within his organization.
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 risk people’s livelihoods." Schell further elaborated on this principle, noting that even if the studio’s own intellectual property generates no revenue, the company would still avoid placing any employee’s job in jeopardy. He said, "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 many ways, it’s a choice." The contrast between Schell’s stated commitment and the reality of the recent layoffs raises questions about the pressures the studio may be facing. While the exact financial or market forces prompting the reductions have not been disclosed, the broader video‑game industry has been experiencing a period of volatility.
Rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and the lingering effects of global economic uncertainty have led many companies to reassess staffing levels and project pipelines. Industry analysts point out that the pandemic‑driven boom in gaming, which saw unprecedented growth in player numbers and revenue, has begun to level off. As a result, studios that expanded rapidly during that period are now confronting the need to streamline operations.
Schell Games, despite its reputation for innovative gameplay experiences and strong partnerships with educational and entertainment brands, is not immune to these macro‑economic trends. The layoffs also underscore a broader conversation about how independent studios balance creative ambition with fiscal responsibility.
Schell Games has built a portfolio that blends entertainment with learning, creating experiences that are both fun and educational. Projects like I Expect You to Die have garnered a dedicated fan base and have been praised for their immersive storytelling and puzzle design. However, maintaining such a pipeline of high‑quality titles requires sustained investment, and any dip in funding or revenue can have cascading effects on staffing.
In response to the situation, Schell Games has not yet issued an official statement beyond the individual LinkedIn posts. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out for comment, but as of this writing no further clarification has been provided by the studio’s leadership. For the employees who remain, the future may involve a reallocation of responsibilities, a shift in project focus, or perhaps a restructuring of teams to adapt to the new staffing levels.
The company’s public commitment to not putting jobs at risk suggests that the remaining workforce might see efforts to stabilize employment, though the exact measures remain speculative. In the wider context, Schell Games’ experience serves as a reminder that even studios with strong leadership philosophies and a track record of successful titles can be vulnerable to industry‑wide headwinds. As the gaming sector continues to evolve, companies will need to navigate a delicate balance between innovation, financial health, and the well‑being of their employees.
The situation at Schell Games will likely be monitored closely by both industry observers and the studio’s community of fans and collaborators. While the layoffs are a setback for those directly impacted, the company’s legacy of creative, immersive experiences may continue to influence future projects, provided it can adapt to the current economic climate and uphold the values it has publicly championed.