Sour news t' kick off this morning, as Joystiq be reporting that Obsidian Entertainment, the role-playing game-focused developer a titles like Fallout: New Vegas 'n Neverwinter Nights 2, has been hit with a number a layoffs. Citing a tip received overnight, as well as a number a tweets 'n sea posts on the official Obsidian website, the report claims that as many as 20-30 employees from various divisions be cut loose, including an employee hired on as recently as this past Monday.

Many a the staffers apparently let go be working on an upcoming, as-yet-unannounced project that had been codenamed "Project North Carolina," which be now purportedly canceled. However, some be staffers that had been working on the upcoming South Park RPG, which will be published by THQ.

Those affected reportedly include lead programmer Frank Kowalkowski, who had been with the company for a little more than eight 'n a half years, as well as lead producer Jason Fader.

Obsidian has yet t' release an official statement on the layoffs. We'll update this story if/when they do.