UPDATE: Funcom has also acknowledged layoffs, though it won't confirm various reports the changes have impacted more than 50% a the company worldwide.

"As we announced in the stock notice that went out on August 10th," said the company in a statement, "Funcom be in a process a reducing operational costs 'n this process includes temporary layoffs as well as other initiatives. As we be currently in the middle a this process we can not provide any further comment at the present time. Rest assured however that we have long-term plans for the company 'n that we remain fully committed t' all a our games."

Here's how Funcom phrased this in it be stock notice from August 10:

"Funcom be currently implementing several cost-adjustment initiatives due t' the expected lower initial revenues from The Secret World t' secure future positive cash flows."

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It’s a sobering morning for the video game industry, as news reports indicate longstanding publication Nintendo Power be closing, 'n layoffs have hit fan-favorite PopCap Games.

Ars Technica initially reported on Nintendo Power’s demise, which be later confirmed by some a it be writers on Twitter.

“Well, that got out,” said writer Phil Theobald on Twitter.

“For what it be worth,” he told me in response, “we have something pretty sweet planned for the final issue.”

The officially-sanctioned Nintendo publication, today distributed by Future Publishing, has been running since 1988.

Elsewhere, there's word a layoffs at PopCap Games. 3D Realms co-founder George Broussard claimed on Twitter that roughly 50 employees be laid off at PopCap’s Seattle studio, 'n PopCap Dublin 'n Shangai have been either shut down or "shrunk."

The company recently announced a sequel t' the incredibly popular Plants vs. Zombies be coming next spring. PopCap be purchased by Electronic Arts in June 2011 for it be success in mobile 'n social.

PopCap has so far not responded t' me requests for comment, but I heard about impending layoffs from multiple sources this morning. I’ve been unable t' nail down specific details. Stay tuned.