EA to close social outfit Playfish's Tromso studio

Norwegian website Nordlys is reporting EA is set to close down social developer Playfish's Tromso studio.

The site claims EA is looking to invest in some of its larger bases and, as such, has decided to call time on Tromso's team, with 21 employees losing their jobs as a result.

Touting talent

It's suggested Playfish's general manager Kim Daniel Arthur is to stay on in his position in spite of the closure, and indeed, some other employees from the Tromso office "shall continue" in their jobs according to a translation.

Tromso is reported to have been behind games that have amassed Playfish and latterly EA 81 million users worldwide, with the office consisting of a mix of programmers and creatives covering everything from design to writing.

All the staff involved will work out the notice period, picking up extra compensation pay in the process, with Arthur calling on other studios looking to take on new talent to contact him for details.

EA acquired Playfish for around $400 million (275 million cash, $25 million in equity and $100 million based on perfomance) back in November 2009.

[source: Nordlys (in Norwegian)]