Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit *Among Us* and for developing the critically acclaimed *I Expect You to Die* series, has reportedly begun a round of layoffs affecting a number of its employees. The news surfaced after several staff members posted about the cuts on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by the industry outlet Game Developer.
One of the first posts to surface was from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company experienced its inaugural layoff event on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those 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 (and beyond) right now is bleeding profusely," the manager explained, underscoring the broader market turmoil that has been affecting game developers across the board.
The marketing department was also hit, as confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr., who named four colleagues whose positions were eliminated. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager of Schell Games shared further details, listing several individuals from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams who were impacted. By tallying the various LinkedIn announcements, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been let go in this wave of reductions.
Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the studio’s headcount as ranging between 51 and 200 employees, which suggests that the layoffs affect a noticeable but not overwhelming proportion of the workforce. One of the affected public‑relations staff members reflected on the experience, 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." The sentiment captures a mixture of sadness over the abrupt departure and gratitude for the collaborative achievements made during their tenure. The cuts are particularly striking given the public stance of Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long positioned the studio as a company that shields its employees from financial volatility.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from employment risk. He said, "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." Despite that commitment, the current economic climate appears to have forced the studio’s hand. The video‑game industry has been experiencing a prolonged downturn, with many publishers and developers reporting shrinking revenues, delayed releases, and heightened competition from both established franchises and emerging indie titles. This environment has led to what analysts describe as a "hemorrhaging" of talent, where even studios that have historically prioritized job security are now confronting the harsh reality of budget constraints and cash‑flow pressures.
Schell Games, founded in 2002 and based in Pittsburgh, has built a reputation for blending interactive storytelling with innovative gameplay mechanics. Its portfolio includes educational titles for museums and attractions, as well as entertainment‑focused games that have earned multiple awards.
The *I Expect You to Die* series, for example, has been praised for its clever puzzles and immersive spy‑themed narrative, while the 3D adaptation of *Among Us* demonstrated the studio’s ability to translate a popular 2D social deduction game into a fully realized three‑dimensional experience. The layoffs come at a time when the studio is also navigating the evolving expectations of its audience. Players increasingly demand regular content updates, cross‑platform compatibility, and robust online support, all of which require sustained development resources.
Balancing these expectations against a tightening fiscal environment can be a delicate act for any mid‑size developer. Industry observers note that the decision to downsize may also be influenced by the broader shift toward subscription‑based services and live‑ops models, which can alter revenue streams and affect how studios allocate staff. While Schell Games has historically focused on project‑based releases, the pressure to adapt to new monetization strategies could be a factor in the recent restructuring. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for additional comment, but as of now no further official statement has been released beyond the employee posts and the earlier interview excerpts.
The lack of a direct response leaves some questions unanswered regarding the specific financial pressures that prompted the layoffs and what steps the studio plans to take to stabilize its workforce moving forward. In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its creative contributions to both educational and entertainment gaming, is confronting a wave of staff reductions that affect at least fourteen individuals across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual‑effects departments. The move underscores the challenging economic backdrop facing the video‑game sector, even for companies that have previously championed employee security. As the industry continues to grapple with market volatility, studios like Schell Games will need to balance their creative ambitions with prudent financial management, a task that may unfortunately involve further tough decisions in the months ahead.