Funcom initiates 'temporary' layoffs

The Secret World developer Funcom has instituted layoffs in response to poorer-than-expected revenues for the game. While the studio did not comment on rumors of the changes impacting as much as 50 percent of the company, it issued a statement to GameSpot sister site Giant Bomb confirming that some staff reductions are part of previously announced cost-saving measures.

"Funcom is in a process of reducing operational costs and this process includes temporary layoffs as well as other initiatives," the statement read. "As we are currently in the middle of this process we can not provide any further comment at the present time."

The Secret World received mixed reviews after its July release, which Funcom blamed for much of its reduced share value. Former Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas stepped down from his position for a different role in the company on the eve of the game's launch.