Schell Games, the Pittsburgh-based studio behind the I Expect You To Die franchise and the co-development of Among Us VR, has announced a second round of layoffs this year. In a statement posted on LinkedIn, the company attributed the decision to the current challenging conditions within the game industry, emphasizing that these measures are necessary to secure a sustainable future for the studio.
The developer acknowledged the emotional difficulty of the situation, noting that while the cuts will help maintain stability moving forward, they result in the loss of significant talent. Schell Games did not reveal the exact number of employees impacted by this reduction. However, the affected roles span across various departments, including engineering, art and design, sound, marketing, IT support, research, and quality assurance.
This marks the second time the company has reduced its workforce in 2026, following an initial round of layoffs in August. That previous event was notable as it represented the first staff reduction since Schell Games was founded in 2002. The studio also produces educational VR experiences alongside its commercial titles.
Jesse Schell, the company's CEO, has previously advocated for strategies to avoid layoffs, telling GamesIndustry.biz in 2024 that prioritizing stability is key to maintaining a steady workforce. He described layoffs as an avalanche-like event, suggesting that if a reduction is unavoidable, it is strategically sound to execute it when the broader industry is doing the same. Schell argued that timing such moves during widespread economic downturns helps normalize the situation rather than signaling internal failure, expressing hope that market conditions will return to normal soon.
Sources: GamesIndustry.biz.