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Update: Develop has received a statement from the studio confirming that eight staff were laid off from on Friday as part of a restructuring process at the developer.
"We are reducing staff to the appropriate levels to support and grow our recently launched products, as well as continue development of Richard Garriott’s Ultimate RPG," read the statement.
Original story: A number of layoffs have hit social and mobile game developer Portalarium.
According to developer Paul Evans, as spotted by Games Industry, who also formerly worked at Lionhead, he and other employees have been let go from the studio.
The reason for the staff redundancies is not yet clear, and the Austin-based studio, owned by Richard Garriott, has yet to comment on the layoffs.
Develop has contacted the developer for further information.
“I wish Portalarium best of luck. Today they had to lay off people & I was one of them,” said Evans.
“Worst thing in the USA is the health insurance deal. Not so much for me but for my imminent family. Danni is expecting in May and we find out the sex next week. Health insurance ends tonight.”
Evans added that the layoffs had come as a surprise, and that he could have been better prepared if there had been more notice.
Portalarium was founded in September 2009 by famed Ultima Online creator Richard Garriott with a focus on developing and publishing online and mobile social games.
In July this year the developer secured $7 million in Series A funding, with the aim to invest the money into social media game Ultimate Collector: Garage Sale and Ultimate RPG.
Since it was founded the studio has released two titles in the form of Port Casino Poker and Port Casino Blackjack.
