Not long ago, PopCap (News - Alert) Games officially became part of EA, and a lot of people likely thought their jobs were secure. This proved not to be the case as yesterday brought with it not only word of firings, but also the potential closure of one entire office unless profits can be shored up.

PopCap Games fired 50 of its North American workers, and is actively considering the complete shutdown of its offices in Dublin, all because of a change in the way people are playing games, according to reports from PopCap Games co-founder John Vechey (News - Alert).

Vechey, who wrote a blog addressing 500 employees, said that "In the past year, we've seen a dramatic change in the way people play and pay for games. Free-to-play, social and mobile games have exploded in popularity." Interestingly, these firings come following aggressive hirings made in the past year, so all told, PopCap Games looks to end 2012 with about the same number of employees it had going into it.

EA, which picked up PopCap Games for $750 million in a bid to better compete with Facebook (News - Alert) game-maker Zynga, who has, oddly enough, been having similar troubles. The move to mobile, social, and free-to-play has left more than a few game companies unsure of their next steps, as console gaming finds itself with just a bit less significance than it once held.

Indeed, the concept of mobile and social gaming is coming into its own. With more people on the move, and using mobile devices while on the move, they're turning to simple, basic, casual games to get their gaming fix. Sure, there are still plenty of console titles being made and sold profitably every year, but there's a burgeoning market for those games that don't take multiple days to complete. Those bigger games, RPGs and the like, are still popular, but many of them are progressing to free-to-play allowing users to enjoy the game and then pay to make it better, easier, or more entertaining. The next Angry Birds, the next game that can be enjoyably--and satisfyingly--played in 15 minute bursts is what people are looking for these days. PopCap Games is in a good position to do just that, actually, given that they're the creators behind popular puzzle game Bejeweled, as well as Plants Vs. Zombies.

Still, it's not surprising that PopCap Games is pulling in its horns a bit as far as hiring goes, as they consolidate their position and look to find the next big thing in gaming. It's terrible news for those let go, of course, and hopefully they'll be able to reintegrate with other companies looking for their slice of the mobile gaming pie. It's apparent that gaming is changing, and PopCap Games wants to be right out in front of the changes.

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