Electronic Arts is shutting down Pandemic Studios, which the video game publisher bought along with another development studio two years ago for $860 million. Most of the 200 folks working at the Pandemic offices in Westwood will lose their jobs. EA, which also has a major operation in Playa Vista, had announced plans to cut 1,500 jobs, or 16 percent of its workforce, after reporting a big second-quarter loss. Among those let go at Pandemic were the studio's former CEO, Andrew Goldman. The gamer news site Kotaku broke the news.

"I want to make it clear that the Pandemic brand and franchises will live on," Nick Earl, EA Games Label Senior Vice President, wrote in the memo. "In the months ahead, we will announce plans for new games based on Pandemic franchises. "This type of change can be difficult. But the situation calls for us to act decisively, to take control of our destiny and to run a stronger, more focused development operation. That's how we will continue to make great games in our LA studios."