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 confirmed that it is cutting staff positions. The news surfaced after several employees posted about the layoffs on LinkedIn, prompting coverage by industry outlet Game Developer. The first public indication came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who shared that the company had carried out its inaugural round of layoffs on a Friday. The manager emphasized that the reductions were not tied to individual performance, noting, "This isn’t a result of anything you did or didn’t do.
Our industry (and beyond) is currently bleeding heavily." Further confirmation arrived from Dwayne Waite Jr., Schell Games’ marketing director, who disclosed that the marketing department was among those affected and listed four specific employees who would be departing. In addition, the senior public‑relations manager at the studio revealed names from the art, design, and visual‑effects teams, indicating that the cuts spanned multiple disciplines. Based on the collective LinkedIn posts, the total number of impacted staff appears to be fourteen. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn profile lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 employees, suggesting that the layoffs represent a significant proportion of the team.
One of the affected employees, the senior public‑relations manager, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a farewell message: "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 layoffs are particularly striking because they run counter to the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long advocated against job cuts.
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." The contradiction between Schell’s stated commitment to job security and the recent staff reductions raises questions about the broader pressures facing the video‑game industry. Over the past year, many developers have reported revenue shortfalls, rising production costs, and shifting consumer preferences, all of which have contributed to a wave of layoffs across the sector. Analysts describe the current environment as a "hemorrhaging" market, where even well‑established studios are forced to tighten budgets and re‑evaluate staffing levels.
For Schell Games, the decision likely reflects a combination of internal financial realities and external market forces. The company’s portfolio includes both original intellectual property and collaborations with external partners, and the profitability of each project can vary widely.
When a title underperforms or a partnership contract ends, cash flow can tighten quickly, prompting leadership to make difficult choices to preserve the studio’s long‑term viability. Industry observers note that while layoffs are painful for those directly affected, they can sometimes enable a studio to restructure, focus on core projects, and emerge more resilient.
In Schell Games’ case, the cuts may allow the team to concentrate resources on upcoming releases or to invest in new technologies such as virtual reality, an area where the studio has previously demonstrated expertise. The reaction from the broader gaming community has been one of sympathy and concern. Fans of the *I Expect You To Die* series have taken to social media to thank departing staff members for their contributions and to wish them well in future endeavors.
Meanwhile, commentators have highlighted the importance of transparent communication from leadership during such transitions, emphasizing that clear explanations can help maintain morale among remaining employees. As of now, Schell Games has not issued an official statement beyond the employee‑shared posts, and GamesIndustry.biz’s request for comment remains unanswered.
The situation underscores the volatile nature of the gaming business, where even studios with a strong creative reputation must navigate financial uncertainty while striving to honor commitments to their workforce. In summary, Schell Games has announced its first-ever round of layoffs, affecting roughly fourteen individuals across marketing, art, design, and visual‑effects departments. The move stands in contrast to CEO Jesse Schell’s previously articulated philosophy of protecting jobs, reflecting the broader challenges confronting the industry at large. While the affected employees express both disappointment and pride in their contributions, the studio hopes to stabilize its operations and continue delivering innovative experiences for players worldwide.