Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the wildly popular party game Among Us and for developing the critically acclaimed I Expect You To Die series, has recently confirmed that it is cutting staff. The news emerged after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by Game Developer and other industry outlets.
The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote that the company experienced its inaugural round of layoffs on a Friday. The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they added a note of empathy for their colleagues: "This isn’t a result of any individual’s actions. Our industry (and beyond) right now is losing talent at an alarming rate." Marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr.
also used his LinkedIn account to confirm that the reductions touched the marketing department, even naming four team members who were affected. In a separate post, the senior public‑relations manager listed additional colleagues from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams whose positions were eliminated. By tallying the various announcements, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been impacted in total. Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists the studio’s headcount as ranging from 51 to 200 staff members, so the cuts represent a modest but noticeable percentage of its workforce.
The public‑relations manager expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a heartfelt message. "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." These layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the long‑standing public position taken by Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell.
In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell emphasized that the studio deliberately separates financial risk from the risk to its 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." The contrast between Schell’s earlier statements and the current reality has sparked discussion across the industry.
Many observers note that the broader video‑game market has been experiencing a slowdown, with several high‑profile publishers announcing reductions, studio closures, or project cancellations over the past year. Economic pressures, rising development costs, and shifting consumer preferences have created a challenging environment for mid‑size developers like Schell Games, which rely on a steady pipeline of contracts and original IP to sustain operations. Schell Games has built its reputation on creating immersive, narrative‑driven experiences that blend physical interaction with digital gameplay.
The I Expect You To Die series, for example, has garnered a loyal fan base for its clever puzzles and spy‑themed storytelling, while the 3D adaptation of Among Us brought a new spatial dimension to the social deduction genre. These successes have helped the studio secure partnerships with major brands and educational institutions, expanding its portfolio beyond pure entertainment into training and learning applications. Nevertheless, the studio’s reliance on contract work and collaborations can make it vulnerable to fluctuations in client budgets.
When larger companies tighten spending, smaller partners often feel the ripple effects, leading to project delays or cancellations. In such a climate, even studios that have historically avoided layoffs may find themselves forced to make difficult personnel decisions to preserve cash flow and keep core projects alive.
Industry analysts suggest that Schell Games’ layoffs may be a preemptive move to streamline operations ahead of upcoming development cycles. By reducing headcount now, the studio could be aiming to reallocate resources toward high‑priority titles, invest in new technology, or maintain a leaner structure that can adapt more quickly to market changes. Some insiders speculate that the company might also be positioning itself for a strategic pivot, perhaps focusing more heavily on its educational and enterprise offerings, which have shown resilience during economic downturns. The response from the affected employees has been largely supportive, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunities they received and optimism about future prospects.
A few former staff members have already announced plans to pursue freelance work, join other indie studios, or start their own ventures, underscoring the entrepreneurial spirit that often characterizes the game‑development community. As of now, Schell Games has not issued an official press release addressing the layoffs, and GamesIndustry.biz reports that attempts to obtain comment from the studio have not yet yielded a response. The lack of a formal statement leaves room for speculation, but it also reflects a common practice in the industry: companies sometimes choose to let internal communications on professional networks serve as the primary channel for such announcements. In summary, Schell Games’ recent staff reductions highlight the ongoing volatility within the video‑game sector, even for studios that have previously championed job security.
While the cuts affect a relatively small portion of the workforce, they signal that no studio is entirely insulated from broader economic forces. The situation serves as a reminder that the balance between creative ambition, financial stewardship, and employee well‑being remains a delicate one, and that studios must continually adapt to survive in an ever‑evolving market.