Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for producing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly begun a round of layoffs that has affected several members of its staff. The news broke after Game Developer magazine cited a series of LinkedIn updates posted by employees at the company, which detailed the onset of the reductions that started on a Friday earlier this week.
One of the first messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the organization was undergoing its "first ever layoffs" and clarified that he himself had not been among those let go. "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," he explained, underscoring the broader market pressures that have been felt across the gaming sector and even in adjacent creative industries. The phrasing suggests that the cuts are driven less by individual performance and more by a systemic downturn that is forcing companies to tighten their belts. The impact of the layoffs was further confirmed by Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who specifically noted that members of the marketing team were among those affected. He went on to name four individuals who were losing their positions.
In addition, the studio’s senior public‑relations manager posted a separate update that listed several colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects departments who were also being let go. By tallying the names and comments shared across the various posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted in total.
This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile lists the company’s headcount as falling somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members, indicating that the layoffs represent a meaningful percentage of the workforce. One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt note.
"I won't pretend this isn't a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years," she 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." Her comments highlight both the personal toll of job loss and the sense of accomplishment that can come from contributing to a creative studio’s legacy.
The decision to cut jobs arrives at a time when Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has publicly taken a stance against workforce reductions. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees. He argued that while a studio may gamble with cash to develop a game, it should not gamble with the livelihoods of its staff.
"At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk," Schell said during that interview. "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 reflect a broader industry conversation about sustainable development practices, especially as many mid‑size studios grapple with volatile revenue streams, rising development costs, and shifting consumer preferences. The current wave of layoffs at Schell Games underscores how even companies that champion employee security can be forced to make difficult decisions when market conditions deteriorate.
The gaming market has been experiencing a slowdown in recent months, with several high‑profile titles underperforming and investors becoming more cautious about funding new projects. This environment has led to what many analysts describe as a "bleeding" of talent across the sector, as studios trim staff to preserve cash flow and extend runway until the next successful release. While the specific financial details behind Schell Games' decision have not been disclosed, the pattern mirrors similar actions taken by other developers who have cited reduced revenue, delayed launches, or the need to reallocate resources toward core projects. Some industry observers suggest that the company may be refocusing its efforts on its flagship IPs, such as the I Expect You to Die franchise, which has built a loyal fan base through its immersive puzzle‑solving gameplay.
The layoffs also raise questions about the future direction of the studio. Will Schell Games double down on its existing portfolio and seek new publishing partnerships? Might it explore alternative revenue models, such as subscription services or episodic releases, to stabilize cash flow?
These are speculative considerations, but they illustrate the strategic crossroads that many mid‑size developers face in a tightening market. In the wake of the announcements, GamesIndustry.biz reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs and on how the company plans to navigate the current economic headwinds. As of the time of writing, no response had been received, leaving the community to await further clarification from the studio’s leadership.
Overall, the situation at Schell Games serves as a poignant reminder that even studios with strong creative reputations and a history of advocating for employee stability are not immune to the broader economic forces shaping the video‑game industry. The combination of market contraction, rising production costs, and evolving consumer expectations continues to test the resilience of developers worldwide, prompting difficult choices that affect both the businesses and the talented individuals who bring games to life.