Schell Games, the 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 series, has reportedly initiated a round of staff reductions. The news surfaced after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees began to surface early last week, indicating that the layoffs started on Friday.
According to a report from Game Developer, several members of the Schell Games team posted about the cuts, providing a glimpse into the scale and emotional impact of the decision. One of the most notable messages came from the studio's principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today," and clarified that they themselves were not among those let go. The manager went on to reassure colleagues and the broader community, stating, "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The marketing division also felt the shockwaves of the downsizing. Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio's marketing director, confirmed that members of his team were among those affected and even listed four individuals whose positions were eliminated. In a separate post, the senior public relations manager added names from the art, design, and visual effects departments, painting a broader picture of the cuts across multiple disciplines. Compiling the information from these posts suggests that approximately fourteen employees have been impacted by the layoffs.
This figure is notable when compared with the company's own LinkedIn profile, which indicates that Schell Games employs somewhere between 51 and 200 people. The proportion of staff let go, therefore, represents a non‑trivial slice of the organization, especially given that this is the first time the studio has ever had to resort to layoffs. One of the affected employees, 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." This sentiment underscores both the personal toll of job loss and the lasting positive impressions left by collaborative work environments. The timing of these layoffs is particularly striking because it appears to contradict the public stance of Schell Games' founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long advocated against cutting jobs. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized a philosophy that separates financial risk from employment risk.
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." Schell elaborated further, noting that even if the studio's own intellectual property generated no revenue, the company would still avoid jeopardizing its workforce.
"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," he said.
This approach has been a cornerstone of Schell Games' corporate identity, positioning the studio as a place that values employee stability even in the face of market volatility. The recent layoffs, therefore, raise questions about what has shifted behind the scenes to necessitate such a move. While the public statements from the affected staff focus on personal reflections and gratitude, the broader industry context cannot be ignored. The video game sector has been experiencing a period of financial strain, with many mid‑size studios reporting reduced revenue streams, delayed projects, and heightened competition from both established publishers and emerging indie developers.
This environment has forced several companies to reevaluate budgets, staffing levels, and project pipelines. Industry analysts point out that the pandemic‑driven surge in gaming demand has begun to level off, and consumer spending patterns are changing. Subscription services, live‑ops models, and the rising cost of developing high‑fidelity experiences have all contributed to tighter margins. For a studio like Schell Games, which balances original IP development with contract work for educational and corporate clients, fluctuations in either revenue stream can create cash‑flow challenges that ripple through the organization.
In addition, the studio's recent focus on virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences may have introduced additional financial pressures. While VR has shown promise, the market remains relatively niche compared with traditional console and mobile gaming, meaning that return on investment can be uncertain.
If projected sales or partnership deals fell short of expectations, the company may have found itself needing to tighten its belt. Despite the setback, many observers remain optimistic about Schell Games' long‑term prospects. The studio has built a reputation for high‑quality, narrative‑driven games that blend humor, puzzle‑solving, and immersive storytelling.
Its portfolio, which includes titles that have been used in educational settings and corporate training, provides diversified revenue sources that could help the company weather future storms. The public relations manager’s concluding remarks encapsulate a hopeful outlook: while the layoff marks a painful ending for some, the experiences and skills gained during their tenure will continue to serve them in future endeavors.
The message also serves as a reminder that the gaming industry, like many creative sectors, is subject to cycles of growth and contraction, and that even studios with strong leadership and clear philosophies must sometimes make difficult decisions. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for further comment on the situation, seeking clarification on the factors that led to the layoffs and how the company plans to move forward while staying true to its stated commitment to employee security. Until an official response is provided, the community will continue to watch closely, hoping that the studio can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger, preserving the creative spirit that has defined its work for over a decade.