PopCap Games
(PopCap Image via Twitter)

PopCap, developers of such game titles as “Plants vs. Zombies,” “Bejeweled” and “Peggled,” announced on Tuesday that it was laying off a portion of its staff at its Seattle headquarters.

In a memo titled “Changes at PopCap Seattle” that was posted on Twitter, GM Matt Nutt explained how the way people play games has evolved dramatically in the more than five years since the company joined Electronic Arts. And, Nutt continued, it was necessary for PopCap to evolve as well.

While citing the studio’s “amazingly creative teams,” Nutt said the company had “reached the difficult decision to to reduce the size of our team in Seattle.” The company would be refocusing on key titles and new projects and would have to say goodbye to “some talented colleagues and friends.”

Nutt’s memo did not specify how many people would be losing their jobs. He said severance and other assistance would be offered.

PopCap was founded in 2000 by Brian Fiete, John Vechey and Jason Kapalka, who joined forces at the time to “make simple, fun, ad-supported Java games that are free to play,” according to company timeline on PopCap.com.

“PopCap Seattle isn’t going anywhere — we’re re-focused and re-energized,” Nutt said. “We’re returning to our roots — smaller, leaner, pushing hard to build new things, and aiming big to excite fans worldwide with our games.”

h/t Gamasutra and Gamespot

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