Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has recently been forced to cut several positions from its workforce. The news broke after a series of LinkedIn updates from current employees revealed that the layoffs began on the Friday preceding the announcement.
One of the first messages to surface came from the studio's principal engineering manager, who posted that Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs that day. The manager made it clear that they themselves were not among those let go, and emphasized that the reductions were not a reflection of individual performance.
"This wasn't caused by anything you did or didn't do. Our sector is currently bleeding heavily," they wrote, underscoring the broader industry turmoil that appears to be driving the decision. The marketing division also felt the impact, as confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr.
He publicly named four members of his team who were affected and expressed sympathy for their situation. In addition, the studio's senior public relations manager contributed further details, listing colleagues from the art, design, and visual effects departments who were also part of the layoff wave. By tallying the names and reports shared on social media, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been let go in this round.
Schell Games' LinkedIn profile lists the company size as ranging from 51 to 200 staff members, suggesting that the cuts represent a modest but still significant percentage of the overall headcount. The public relations manager, who also posted a heartfelt farewell, admitted that ending this chapter in such a manner was disappointing, especially after nearly six years of service. Nevertheless, they expressed pride in the achievements made during their tenure and gratitude for the relationships forged with teammates. "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." These layoffs are particularly striking given the long‑standing public position taken by Schell Games' founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has consistently spoken out 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 argued that while a studio might gamble with cash to develop a game, it should never gamble with the jobs of its staff. "At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk," Schell said during that conversation.
"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." The current round of layoffs therefore appears to contradict the ethos Schell has championed for years. It also highlights the precarious state of the wider video‑game industry, which has been experiencing a wave of financial strain, project cancellations, and shifting consumer preferences. Many studios have reported similar workforce reductions as they grapple with rising development costs, uncertain market reception, and the lingering effects of global economic pressures. Industry analysts note that even well‑established developers are not immune to these forces.
The rapid expansion of live‑service models, the increasing reliance on high‑budget AAA titles, and the competitive push for immersive technologies such as virtual reality have all contributed to a volatile environment. When revenue streams falter or investment dries up, companies often resort to cost‑cutting measures, with staff reductions being one of the most immediate levers. For Schell Games, the decision likely reflects a combination of internal and external pressures.
While the studio has a reputation for innovative gameplay experiences and a strong portfolio of educational and entertainment titles, maintaining a stable cash flow in a market that rewards blockbuster hits can be challenging. The company's size, positioned somewhere between a boutique studio and a mid‑tier developer, may also make it more vulnerable to market fluctuations than larger publishers with diversified revenue sources. The reaction from the broader gaming community has been one of empathy and concern.
Fans of the I Expect You to Die series, as well as players who enjoyed the Among Us 3D adaptation, have taken to social media to express support for the affected employees and to question how a company that has publicly pledged to protect jobs could arrive at this point. Some commentators have called for greater transparency from the studio regarding its financial health and future plans, while others have reminded observers that the industry as a whole is undergoing a period of contraction that forces even the most principled organizations to make difficult choices.
As of now, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and to seek clarification on how the company intends to reconcile its stated values with the recent actions. No response has been published yet, leaving many to wonder whether additional rounds of reductions could be on the horizon or if the studio has a recovery strategy in place. In summary, Schell Games' recent staff cuts underscore the harsh reality that even studios with a strong brand identity and a history of advocating for employee security are not immune to the sweeping economic headwinds affecting the video‑game sector.
While the affected employees navigate the transition and the company works to stabilize its operations, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the delicate balance between creative ambition, financial risk, and the well‑being of a studio's workforce.