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 initiated a round of layoffs that has left a number of employees without work. The news broke after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former staff members began to surface, confirming that the cuts started on the Friday preceding the public announcement.
The first hint of the reductions came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games had experienced its "first ever layoffs" on that Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those whose positions were eliminated, and they added a note of empathy for their colleagues: "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director, who explicitly stated that the marketing department had been affected. In his post, Waite listed four individuals from his team who were part of the layoff wave.
Adding to the picture, the studio’s senior public relations manager also shared the names of several colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions who were impacted. Compiling the various LinkedIn disclosures suggests that a total of fourteen employees have been let go. This figure is notable when placed against Schell Games’ publicly listed headcount, which ranges between 51 and 200 staff members according to the company’s own LinkedIn profile. Even with a mid‑size workforce, the loss of fourteen positions represents a significant contraction for a studio that has traditionally emphasized stability and employee wellbeing.
One of the affected staff members, the senior public relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt message. "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." The sentiment captures both the personal impact of the layoffs and the broader sense of loss felt by a team that has spent years developing immersive experiences together.
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 positioned the studio as a champion of job security within the gaming industry. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. He stated, "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 suggested that the studio would rather absorb financial uncertainty than jeopardize its workforce, a principle that has been highlighted in various industry panels and interviews over the past few years. The recent layoffs, therefore, raise questions about the pressures the company is currently facing and whether external market forces have become too great to ignore, even for a studio that has prided itself on protecting its employees.
The broader context of the gaming industry also provides insight into why such a move may have become unavoidable. Over the past several quarters, the sector has experienced a series of revenue shortfalls, delayed releases, and a general slowdown in consumer spending on entertainment products. Many developers, ranging from indie studios to large publishers, have reported tightening budgets, project cancellations, and a pullback in hiring.
This macro‑economic environment has been described by analysts as a "hemorrhaging" of sorts, with cash flow constraints forcing companies to make difficult decisions about staffing levels. For Schell Games, a studio that has historically balanced commercial projects with educational and experiential titles, the financial strain may stem from a combination of factors. The development of high‑quality VR experiences, for example, demands significant upfront investment in hardware, software, and specialized talent. If projected sales or licensing deals fall short of expectations, the cash runway can shrink quickly.
Moreover, the competitive landscape for immersive entertainment has intensified, with numerous new entrants vying for limited market share. While the layoffs are a setback for those directly affected, they also signal a potential shift in the studio’s strategic direction.
Some observers speculate that Schell Games may be reallocating resources toward core projects that promise higher returns, or perhaps streamlining operations to become more agile in a volatile market. Others suggest that the company could be positioning itself for a future partnership or acquisition, a common route for mid‑size studios seeking stability amid industry turbulence. In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on the decision‑making process and whether the company anticipates further workforce adjustments.
As of now, no official statement beyond the employee‑generated posts has been released, leaving the community to piece together the narrative from social media and third‑party reports. The episode serves as a reminder that even studios with strong reputations for employee care are not immune to broader economic currents. For the individuals who have departed, the experience may open doors to new opportunities within a rapidly evolving industry that continues to value creative talent, especially in niche areas like virtual reality and interactive storytelling.
For the remaining team members, the challenge will be to maintain morale and continue delivering the high‑quality experiences that have defined Schell Games’ brand, all while navigating an uncertain financial landscape. In summary, Schell Games’ recent layoff round—affecting roughly fourteen staff members across marketing, art, design, and visual effects—marks a notable departure from the company’s longstanding public commitment to job security. The move reflects both internal pressures and the wider difficulties confronting the gaming sector, which has been described as "hemorrhaging" in recent industry commentary. As the studio moves forward, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how it balances financial realities with its cultural promise of protecting its workforce.