EA Confirms Maxis Staff Cuts

A statement issued by Electronic Arts has confirmed job cuts at Spore studio Maxis, but reaffirms the company's commitment to Spore.

"Often in the video game industry, the size of a studio fluctuates in response to business conditions," reads the statement. "In this case, EA has taken action to reduce the workforce at Maxis as we focus the business and focus Maxis."

"EA remains fully committed to Spore and other IP within Maxis, with games planned for launch in the next few months, including Spore Hero, coming to the Wii for the first time, and Spore Hero Arena on the DS."

We wonder if the studio got rather larger in anticipation of Spore becoming an expandable smash hit, and has been forced to downsize with the title not quite becoming a Sims-style success.

Will Wright - eminent game designer and co-founder of Maxis - left Maxis back in April of this year to found Stupid Fun Club, which has been part-financed by EA.

Still, it's a sad day for various game developers. In other news we've learned that Raven, developer of the recent Wolfenstein title, has also suffered job cuts.