After weeks of rumours PopCap Dublin finally announced this week that it was closing its doors and that all 96 jobs were to go. They have been the largest development studio in Dublin for quite some time now.
This follows on from a period of review following the purchase in July 2011 of PopCap by Electronic Arts. EA bought PopCap to expand its strength in mobile and casual games. See http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20078900-17/ea-acquires-popcap-games-for-digital-push/ for more details on the financial side of the transaction. Some of the deal at least was performance related up to 2013.
Most of you will have already read the news reports online and in the national papers this week. See http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/0925/1224324358143.html
At present there is not much to add except to wish all former employees well in their search for employment.
For more discussions by gd.ie folks see http://www.gamedevelopers.ie/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6835
Go there to have your say.