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SimCity Studio Is Shut Down By EA Games

The games studio behind the successful SimCity series has been shut down.

Parent company EA games has confirmed that Maxis Emeryville - the main Maxis studio - is being closed with staff being asked to reapply for other jobs at EA.

It follows the disastrous launch of the latest edition of SimCity a year ago, which attracted poor reviews and a controversy over the need for an internet connection to play the game.

Maxis staff member Guillaume Pierre wrote on Twitter: "Well it was a fun 12 years, but it's time to turn off the lights and put the key under the door. #RIPMaxisEmeryville."

Maxis was founded in 1987 and is best known for SimCity and The Sims. The studio was acquired by EA in 1997.

Most of the resources were eventually focused on The Sims series, which is now looked after by a separate studio.

EA says development of SimCity will continue at its other studios in California, Salt Lake City, Finland and Australia.

An EA spokesman said: "All employees impacted by the changes today will be given opportunities to explore other positions within the Maxis studios and throughout EA.

"For those that are leaving the company, we are working to ensure the best possible transition with separation packages and career assistance."