Report: Aspyr Confirms Layoffs

Aspyr Media has confirmed it's laying off an unspecified number of staffers due to the economic downturn. The company is best known for partnering with publishers on Mac ports of major PC releases like Call of Duty 4 and The Sims. Aspyr confirmed its situation in a statement to consumer weblog Kotaku, which reports that according to its sources, the reductions may affect as many as a third of the staff. "The current economic environment has forced Aspyr to make some tough decisions," a spokesperson for the company said. "The most difficult of which has been a reduction in staff and the loss of some very talented, valuable team members and friends." "We have taken these steps in an effort to restructure to better meet the challenges ahead. No additional staff reductions are planned or expected, and operations will continue without interruption on all titles scheduled to ship in 2009 and beyond." One such future title is Treasure Troves, an original DS title that uses each player's DS to create "a real-life treasure hunt," as creative director and lead designer Justin Leingang recently revealed.