EA's Maxis studio - originally responsible for The Sims franchise and most recently Spore - has seen layoffs amongst its staff, the publisher has confirmed.

"Often in the video game industry, the size of a studio fluctuates in response to business conditions," Shacknews was told by Electronic Arts in a prepared statement.

"In this case, EA has taken action to reduce the workforce at Maxis as we focus the business and focus Maxis."

It's not clear how many staff have left the studio.

Maxis was founded in 1987 by Will Wright and Jeff Braun. The firm built its reputation on the Sim series of games, including Sim City, before being acquired by EA in 1997.

Wright and Braun have since left - Wright departed this year to work on his independent interactive toy company Stupid Fun Club.

Story originally published on Develop