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 begun a round of staff reductions. The news emerged after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees indicated that the cuts started last Friday. The information was first highlighted in an article by *Game Developer*, which cited multiple posts from members of the team. One of the most prominent messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today." The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they added a candid note about the broader context: "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The impact of the layoffs was further confirmed by Dwayne Waite Jr., the company’s marketing director. Waite identified that the marketing department was directly affected and listed four individuals who were part of the reduction. In addition, the studio’s senior public relations manager shared additional names from the art, design, and visual effects teams, painting a picture of a cross‑functional downsizing effort. Based on the publicly shared information, it appears that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted.
This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ own LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 people. If the higher end of that range is accurate, the layoffs represent a modest but still significant proportion of the overall staff.
One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, posted a reflective message that captured both disappointment and pride. "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 message underscores a common sentiment among those who leave a company under such circumstances: a mixture of sorrow over the abrupt ending and gratitude for the collaborative experiences that defined their tenure. The layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public stance that Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, has taken 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. 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 suggest a commitment to protecting staff even during periods of financial uncertainty, a pledge that has now been called into question by the recent reductions. The discrepancy between the stated policy and the actual outcome has sparked discussion among industry observers, many of whom wonder whether the decision was driven by external market pressures, internal financial challenges, or a combination of both. The broader gaming industry has been experiencing a turbulent period, with many studios reporting revenue shortfalls, rising development costs, and shifting consumer preferences.
The term "hemorrhaging" used by the engineering manager reflects a sentiment echoed across numerous companies that are grappling with a slowdown in consumer spending and heightened competition from both traditional console titles and the rapidly expanding mobile and live‑service sectors. While Schell Games has not yet issued an official statement addressing the layoffs, *GamesIndustry.biz* has reached out for comment. Until a formal response is received, the community is left to piece together the narrative from employee testimonies and the company’s historical positioning on job security.
The situation also raises broader questions about the sustainability of mid‑size development studios that rely heavily on a mix of original IP and contract work. Schell Games, known for its innovative approach to immersive experiences and educational games, has built a reputation for creating high‑quality content that blends storytelling with interactive design. However, maintaining a stable revenue stream in a market that can be volatile poses challenges, especially when larger publishers dominate the financial landscape.
In addition to the immediate human impact, the layoffs could have downstream effects on the studio’s ongoing projects. With fewer hands on deck, timelines for upcoming releases may be adjusted, and certain features might be deprioritized.
Existing partnerships with publishers and educational institutions could also feel the ripple effects, as confidence in the studio’s capacity to deliver on commitments may be tested. For the employees who remain, the environment will likely shift as the team reorganizes to cover the responsibilities of those who have departed. This often leads to a period of increased workload, reallocation of duties, and a need for rapid knowledge transfer. Companies in similar situations sometimes introduce internal support mechanisms, such as counseling services or career transition assistance, to help both departing and remaining staff navigate the change.
Overall, the layoffs at Schell Games serve as a microcosm of the larger challenges facing the gaming sector today. While the studio’s leadership had previously championed a philosophy of safeguarding jobs, the realities of market dynamics appear to have forced a difficult decision.
The coming weeks will reveal how the company adapts, whether it can uphold its creative standards, and how it will communicate its future strategy to both its workforce and its audience.