Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party title Among Us and for producing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, is reportedly undergoing its first round of staff reductions. The news surfaced after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by industry outlet Game Developer. The first public indication of the cuts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that Schell Games had its "first ever layoffs" on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go and emphasized that the decision was not tied to individual performance.
"This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging," the post read, echoing a sentiment of broader market distress that many developers have been voicing over the past year.
Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who identified members of the marketing team as part of the reduction and listed four specific employees who were affected. Adding to the picture, the senior public relations manager at Schell Games disclosed additional names from the art, design, and visual effects divisions, suggesting that the layoffs cut across multiple disciplines rather than being confined to a single department. Compiling the information from these LinkedIn updates, observers estimate that roughly fourteen individuals have been impacted. This figure is noteworthy when considered against the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which states that Schell Games employs between 51 and 200 people.
Whether the cuts represent a small percentage of the overall workforce or a more significant proportion depends on where the studio falls within that range, but the impact is nonetheless felt keenly by those directly involved. One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, posted a reflective message that captured both disappointment and gratitude. "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 tone of the statement underscores a common theme in recent layoff announcements: while the immediate loss is painful, many departing staff members choose to focus on the positive experiences and professional growth they achieved while at the firm. The timing of these layoffs is particularly striking given the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, on the subject of job security.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees’ livelihoods. He asserted, "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 reflected a broader industry conversation about sustainable development practices, especially in a market that has been volatile due to shifting consumer preferences, rising production costs, and the lingering effects of the pandemic on both development pipelines and consumer spending. While many studios have embraced a model of lean teams and flexible staffing, Schell Games has historically positioned itself as a company that would shield its employees from the financial ups and downs that accompany game production.
Nevertheless, the recent cuts suggest that even firms with a strong commitment to job stability are not immune to external pressures. Analysts point to several factors that could have contributed to the decision: a slowdown in the pipeline of new titles, increased competition from larger publishers, and the challenges of monetizing niche experiences such as VR and AR games, which Schell Games has been a pioneer in developing.
The company’s portfolio, while creatively rich, may not have generated the consistent cash flow needed to sustain a larger staff during periods of market contraction. The layoffs also raise questions about the future direction of Schell Games. The studio has built a reputation for innovative, story‑driven experiences that blend gameplay with education and physical interaction. Their work on I Expect You to Die, a VR puzzle series that tasks players with escaping elaborate spy scenarios, has earned multiple awards and a devoted fan base.
Meanwhile, the 3D adaptation of Among Us demonstrated the studio’s ability to translate popular IPs into new formats, expanding their reach beyond traditional screen‑based gaming. Going forward, industry observers will be watching to see how Schell Games reallocates resources and whether it will double down on its core strengths—immersive storytelling, educational content, and collaborative gameplay—or pivot toward new business models that can provide more predictable revenue streams.
Some speculate that the studio may explore partnerships with larger publishers, seek additional funding for original IP, or increase its focus on contract work for external clients, all of which could help stabilize cash flow without compromising the creative autonomy the company values. In the meantime, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment on the layoffs and on how the company plans to navigate the current economic climate. As of this writing, no official response has been published, leaving the community to piece together the story from employee testimonies and public statements. The broader gaming landscape continues to experience turbulence, with numerous studios announcing downsizing measures throughout 2024 and 2025.
While the specifics vary—from partial furloughs to complete studio closures—the underlying narrative is one of adaptation in the face of uncertain revenue, shifting platform dynamics, and evolving player expectations. Schell Games’ recent layoffs serve as a microcosm of this larger trend, illustrating that even well‑regarded, creatively driven companies must sometimes make difficult personnel decisions to remain viable. For the employees who have departed, the next chapter may involve leveraging the unique skill set they honed at Schell Games—expertise in VR development, narrative design, and interdisciplinary collaboration—to secure new roles within the burgeoning immersive tech sector or to launch independent projects. For those who remain, the challenge will be to sustain morale, maintain productivity, and contribute to whatever strategic pivots the leadership decides to undertake.
In summary, Schell Games, a studio celebrated for its inventive titles and commitment to employee well‑being, has announced its first round of layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen staff members across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects. The move contradicts earlier public assurances from CEO Jesse Schell about protecting jobs, highlighting the harsh realities of a market that is currently "hemorrhaging" resources. As the industry watches, the studio’s next steps will be crucial in determining whether it can rebound and continue to deliver the high‑quality, experience‑focused games that have defined its brand.