PopCap has confirmed it is to close its office in Dublin, with an internal consultation period looking concluding with the studio's liquidation.

In a statement released detailing the news, senior director for worldwide PR Gareth Chouteau said a total of 96 jobs in the Dublin office have been affected.

 

Many employees, however, have been offered positions within "other parts of PopCap, at EA or new opportunities with technology partners in Ireland."

European impact

"The consultation period in Ireland has been completed, and after having consulted fully with the employee representatives the PopCap leadership team has decided to close our Dublin office," said Chouteau.

"Europe remains a critical market for PopCap and we will continue to grow our presence through centralised services operated from our North American offices and through the extensive European EA network."

The decision is part of a company-wide reorganisation that resulted in around 50 jobs in the US also being shelved.

At the time, PopCap was keen to claim all such decisions were being taken independently, and didn't come as a result of parent company EA.

Not over yet

Chouteau has been equally keen to point out that the closure of PopCap's office doesn't signal the end of EA's Irish operations altogether.

"In Ireland, EA announced last week the addition of 300 jobs for its European Customer Experience Center in Galway, almost doubling the number of staff," he added.

"The Galway facility currently employs close to 400 people.

"Worldwide, PopCap is still growing, and intends to continue hiring and developing current staff. We will continue to invest in new games, platforms, and markets while we expand the reach of hit franchises like Bejeweled and Plants vs. Zombies."

[source: Edge]