Jaffe leaving Eat Sleep Play, studio shifting to mobile - Report

Twisted Metal developer Eat Sleep Play is going through a metamorphosis. According to a new report, studio cofounder David Jaffe and eight others are on their way out of the Salt Lake City-based developer, as the studio shifts its focus toward mobile games.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that last Wednesday the developer enacted a round of layoffs, affecting eight staffers at the company. According to the report, the studio's headcount now stands at 26.

As for the company's future, the report says Eat Sleep Play will focus on developing mobile games. Apple's iPhone and iPad devices were specifically cited as platforms the studio would develop new games for.

Explaining the shift in focus, Eat Sleep Play cofounder Scott Campbell said, "It's a platform that is in our pockets almost 24/7. It's kind of the size and types of games we're playing. You can certainly reach a lot more people. That's pretty exciting for us."

As for Jaffe, the paper reports he will leave Eat Sleep Play to work on casual titles. However, speaking on Twitter, Jaffe said, "The rumors of me making casual games post [Twisted Metal]--as many of you define them--are highly exaggerated."

Jaffe explained his departure from Eat Sleep Play further on Twitter, saying he will remain with the developer to see Twisted Metal launch but is planning to open a new shop in San Diego soon.

"I have zero plans to make games like Farmville and Angry Birds. I never said what I was doing post [Twisted Metal] (and I'm still on [Twisted Metal] along with [Eat Sleep Play] for the next months as we launch it and balance it in real time and make sure it's a perfect game and continue to support it)," he said.

"At the same time, I will be opening a game studio here in San Diego because I really miss internal game development. Happy to share more details later. I'm leaving because--again--games are just getting [too] big to direct from 300 miles away & I miss the day-to-day of working direct w/team."

Eat Sleep Play's Twisted Metal is due out next Tuesday in North America exclusively for the PlayStation 3, with a European version due in March. For more on the vehicular combat title, check out GameSpot's latest preview.