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* puzzle series, has recently confirmed that it is cutting staff members. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting a wider industry conversation about the company’s current situation. The initial reports came from Game Developer, which highlighted a series of LinkedIn updates from people inside the studio. One of those updates was posted by the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company experienced its first ever round of layoffs on a Friday.
The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they added a note of reassurance to their colleagues: "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 impact. Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, publicly confirmed that members of the marketing team were included in the reductions.
He went on to name four individuals whose positions were eliminated. Meanwhile, the senior public‑relations manager for Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments, indicating that the cuts spanned multiple disciplines within the organization. From the information gathered on social media, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been affected by the layoffs. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile lists the company as employing somewhere between 51 and 200 people, suggesting that the reductions represent a noticeable percentage of the overall workforce.
One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt post. "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 timing of these layoffs is particularly striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has long spoken out against job cuts. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized that the studio separates financial risk from the risk to its employees.
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. 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 comments reflect a philosophy that many indie and mid‑size studios have tried to adopt: protect the team even when a project fails to meet revenue expectations.
However, the recent cuts suggest that the broader market conditions may have forced the studio to reconsider that stance. The gaming industry as a whole has been experiencing a slowdown, with several high‑profile publishers announcing reductions, studio closures, and project cancellations over the past year.
Factors such as rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences, and a more cautious investment environment have contributed to what many observers describe as a period of “hemorrhaging” for the sector. Analysts point out that Schell Games, despite its reputation for innovative gameplay and strong educational titles, is not immune to these macro‑economic pressures. The company’s portfolio, while diverse, includes a mix of original intellectual property and contract work for external partners. Fluctuations in contract revenue, combined with the unpredictable performance of self‑published titles, can create cash‑flow challenges that are difficult to manage without resorting to staff reductions.
The layoffs also raise questions about the future direction of Schell Games. With a reduced team, the studio may need to prioritize certain projects over others, potentially delaying upcoming releases or scaling back the scope of new games. Some industry watchers speculate that the company could lean more heavily on its contract work for stable income, while others hope that the studio will double down on its beloved *I Expect You to Die* series, which has cultivated a loyal fan base and generated consistent sales. In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment.
As of now, no statement has been released beyond the employee‑generated posts. The lack of a formal corporate response leaves room for speculation about the internal decision‑making process and whether additional rounds of reductions might be on the horizon. For the employees who were let go, the transition can be challenging. Many have expressed gratitude for the experience and camaraderie they enjoyed during their tenure, while also acknowledging the difficulty of navigating an uncertain job market in an industry that is currently contracting.
The broader community has shown support, with fellow developers and former colleagues offering assistance, networking opportunities, and words of encouragement. In summary, Schell Games’ recent staff cuts underscore the fragile state of the gaming industry at large.
Even studios that have historically championed employee security are finding it increasingly hard to maintain that promise amid declining revenues and heightened financial risk. While the company’s leadership has previously articulated a commitment to protecting jobs, the current economic reality appears to have forced a reassessment of that principle.
The coming months will reveal how Schell Games adapts to its leaner workforce and whether it can continue to deliver the high‑quality, innovative experiences that have defined its brand.