Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a wave of layoffs across its workforce. The news first surfaced in a piece published by Game Developer, which highlighted a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees indicating that the cutbacks began on a Friday earlier this week. One of the first public acknowledgments came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who posted that "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today." The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, emphasizing that the reductions were not tied to any personal performance issues.
In a follow‑up comment, the manager added, "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do. Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The marketing department also felt the impact.
Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, confirmed that members of his team were among those affected and even listed four individuals who were directly impacted. Meanwhile, the senior public relations manager for Schell Games shared additional names from the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions, suggesting that the layoffs were spread across multiple disciplines rather than isolated to a single function.
Compiling the information from the various LinkedIn posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been laid off. This figure is notable when placed against the company’s own LinkedIn profile, which indicates that Schell Games employs somewhere between 51 and 200 staff members overall. The public relations manager, reflecting on the departure, wrote, "I won't pretend this isn't a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years. 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 especially striking given the public stance that Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, 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 have been widely cited as an expression of the studio’s commitment to protecting its workforce, even in the face of market volatility. The current layoffs, therefore, raise questions about whether external pressures have intensified to a point where the company’s leadership felt compelled to deviate from its previously stated principles. Industry analysts point out that the broader video‑game sector has been experiencing a period of contraction, with numerous publishers and developers announcing cutbacks, studio closures, or restructuring initiatives over the past year.
Factors such as rising development costs, shifting consumer preferences toward live‑service models, and macro‑economic uncertainty have contributed to what many describe as a "bleeding" environment for game creators. In this context, Schell Games’ decision may be seen as part of a larger trend rather than an isolated incident. For the employees directly affected, the layoffs represent both a professional setback and an emotional challenge.
Many of the individuals who posted about the cuts highlighted the collaborative culture and supportive atmosphere that Schell Games cultivated over the years. They expressed gratitude for the opportunities they received and optimism that their experience at the studio would serve as a valuable stepping stone in their future careers. From a strategic perspective, the layoffs could also signal a shift in Schell Games’ project pipeline. The studio has a reputation for blending educational content with immersive gameplay, often partnering with museums, science centers, and corporate clients to produce bespoke interactive experiences.
If the company is reallocating resources toward new contracts or focusing on a smaller slate of high‑impact titles, reducing headcount may be a method to align operating expenses with anticipated revenue streams. Observers note that the company’s size—somewhere between fifty and two hundred employees—means that a reduction of fourteen staff members could represent anywhere from roughly five to twenty‑five percent of the workforce, depending on the exact headcount at the time.
Such a proportionate cut can have a noticeable impact on team dynamics, project timelines, and morale, especially in a creative field where collaboration is essential. While GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the matter, a response has not yet been received. The lack of immediate clarification leaves room for speculation about the specific financial pressures or strategic considerations that prompted the layoffs. In summary, Schell Games, celebrated for its innovative contributions to both entertainment and educational gaming, is navigating a challenging period marked by staff reductions.
The layoffs, affecting an estimated fourteen individuals across engineering, marketing, art, design, and visual effects, underscore the broader difficulties facing the video‑game industry today. Despite the company’s previously articulated commitment to safeguarding jobs, external market forces appear to have forced a reassessment of its staffing levels. As the industry continues to evolve, both current and former Schell Games employees will likely carry forward the skills and experiences gained at the studio, contributing to the next wave of interactive media projects.