When this whole recession thing started, I always assumed that the videogames business would be one of the first industries to be put on the chopping block. Well, here we are 8 months later, and after seeing record-breaking layoffs in nearly every other sector of the world economy, it seems the economic downturn is finally catching up with many of our most stalwart purveyors of electronic entertainment. Within a mere week of GRIN’s untimely liquidation, it seems EA has even more bad news after confirming today that its subsidiary Maxis has undergone significant layoffs.

EA’s statement plainly says that they have “taken action to reduce the workforce at Maxis as we focus the business and focus Maxis.” The scale of the layoffs, among other details, is still unknown. EA’s only elaboration was in stating, “Often in the video game industry, the size of a studio fluctuates in response to business conditions.”

More depressing news for everyone, especially considering that the cutbacks ride closely on the heels of commercially successful titles from Maxis such as The Sims 3 and Spore.