Casual News – Dec. 23

Citing poor holiday sales, Electronic Arts says it will lay off 1,000 employees and close several game studios; HappyNews.com profiles "serious games," and KingIsle Entertainment announces an expansion to Wizard101. These headlines and more below.

News

• Electronic Arts nearly doubles its layoffs to 10 percent
• Austin company gets in the game and discovers recession-proof prize
• KingIsle Entertainment reveals Wizard101 world: Dragonspyre
• Burda:ic brings the yuletide spirit to Florensia
• Viwawa partners with Garena to create social gaming network

Features

• Gamasutra’s Top 20 Trends of 2008
• Crowded shelf space at the digital game store
• Serious games designed for learning, training, simulation – and fun
• iPods app fab for gaming on

Erin Bell