Schell Games, the studio known for collaborating on the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular game Among Us and for creating the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has apparently been forced to reduce its workforce. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from employees indicated that the company began cutting staff as of the previous Friday. The information was first highlighted by Game Developer, which cited multiple posts on the professional networking site. One of the messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who announced that Schell Games experienced its inaugural round of layoffs.
The manager emphasized that the cuts were not a reflection of any employee’s effort or lack thereof, but rather a symptom of a broader industry downturn. "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," the manager wrote. The marketing department was also hit, as confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr.
He publicly identified four members of his team who were among those let go. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager for the studio added further names from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions, painting a picture of a cross‑departmental impact. Compiling the data from the various posts suggests that roughly fourteen employees have been affected overall. Schell Games lists its total staff size on its own LinkedIn page as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 people, which means the layoffs represent a noticeable percentage of the workforce.
One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed mixed feelings about the departure. "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 reflects both a sense of loss and a lingering pride in the projects completed during their tenure. The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, who has historically 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. "At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk," Schell said. "We'll put cash at risk when we make a game, but we don't put jobs at risk." He further explained that even if the studio’s own intellectual property generated no revenue, the company would still avoid laying off staff because it would retain a viable path forward. "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 added. The contrast between Schell’s stated commitment to job security and the reality of the recent layoffs has raised questions among industry observers.
It also underscores the challenging environment that game development studios are navigating today. The broader market has been experiencing a slowdown, with many publishers and developers reporting reduced revenue, tighter budgets, and shifting consumer preferences.
Several factors contribute to this turbulent climate. The pandemic‑driven surge in gaming demand has subsided, leading to a correction in sales figures. Meanwhile, rising development costs, especially for high‑quality 3D titles and immersive experiences, have put pressure on profit margins.
Additionally, the competitive landscape has intensified, with a growing number of indie studios and large publishers vying for player attention on an ever‑expanding array of platforms. For Schell Games, a company that has carved out a niche in educational and immersive experiences, the situation may be compounded by the specific challenges of its target markets. Educational technology, a sector that saw rapid adoption during the early pandemic years, has settled into a more measured growth rate, potentially affecting funding and revenue streams for studios that rely on institutional contracts.
The layoffs also have a human dimension that goes beyond numbers. Employees who have devoted years to building games, collaborating on narrative design, crafting visual assets, or fine‑tuning gameplay mechanics now face the uncertainty of job hunting in a competitive field.
The public statements from affected staff highlight a mixture of disappointment, gratitude, and resilience—a testament to the strong community bonds that often form within creative teams. In response to the situation, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on how the company reconciles its earlier public commitments with the recent workforce reductions. As of this writing, no official response has been issued. The episode at Schell Games serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges confronting the video‑game sector.
It illustrates how even studios with a clear mission and a history of thoughtful leadership can be vulnerable to macro‑economic pressures and shifting market dynamics. While the company’s leadership may continue to strive for a balance between financial sustainability and employee well‑being, the reality of layoffs indicates that the current economic climate is testing the limits of that balance.
Looking ahead, Schell Games will likely need to reassess its strategic priorities, possibly focusing on projects with more predictable revenue streams or exploring new partnerships to diversify its income. For the employees who remain, the situation may bring about increased workloads and the necessity to adapt to a leaner operational model. For those departing, the experience gained at a studio known for innovative gameplay and narrative design could prove valuable as they transition to new roles within the industry or beyond.
In summary, the announced staff reductions at Schell Games reflect a confluence of industry‑wide financial strain, shifting market demand, and the inherent volatility of game development. While the company’s founder previously emphasized a philosophy of protecting jobs, the recent cuts highlight the difficulty of maintaining that ideal in a challenging economic environment. The story remains unfolding, and stakeholders—from employees to partners and players—will be watching closely to see how Schell Games navigates the next chapter of its journey.