Raven Software appeared to be having a good year, releasing two wildly popular games in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Wolfenstein. Despite this, however, it's recently been revealed that the studio has suffered significant layoffs in what's being called an "unprecedented" cull.

"With the recent completion of both Wolverine, based on the summer blockbuster movie, and Wolfenstein, the next chapter of the famed franchise, Raven Software is slightly reducing its workforce to better reflect the studios upcoming slate," confirms the studio in an official statement. 

The firings are said to have affected all areas of the company, and a figure of 56 members of the 180-strong workforce has been suggested. Severence packages are allegedly being offered to those who have lost their jobs. 

I really didn't expect this. X-Men Origins did rather well, and Wolfenstein may not have set the world on fire, but it's doing alright, getting up to number two in the UK charts. Interestingly, Endrant Studios worked on the awful multiplayer for Wolfenstein and also suffered layoffs after it released. Perhaps the game has a Nazi curse?