On the back of the news that Wolfenstein developer Raven Software has been hit with a round of layoffs, it’s also been revealed that The Sims and Spore developer, and internal studio at EA, Maxis, has also been forced to reduce its staff in order to respond to “business conditions,” says a statement from EA.

The exact number of staff affected by the cut is unknown, but internet rumblings post the figure in the dozens, as opposed to lesser measurements. The full statement from EA regarding the Maxis layoffs reads:

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EA has announced that it has sold 100 million units of The Sims worldwide. Incidentally, according to EA, “100 million copies of The Sims lined up end to end would line the perimeter of the Wembley football pitch over 115,000 times.”

Since the first game was sold in 2000, The Sims has become the best-selling PC game franchise and is now available in 22 languages and 60 countries around the world.

The popularity of the game is demonstrated by the fact that the online community of The Sims players,TheSims2.com, has over 4.3 million unique visitors each month who have downloaded over 70 million user-generated creations.

The Sims has experienced a similar popularity on YouTube where more than 100 000 videos and movies of the game have been shared racking up roughly 200 million views.

“At this milestone, we want to thank players of The Sims everywhere for making The Sims such a worldwide phenomenon,” said Rod Humble, Head of Studio for The Sims Label.

“The Sims has been an interactive experience for people around the globe to explore their passion for creativity and we’re thrilled to be a part of that. From building houses and relationships, from the first kiss to a toddler’s first step, from kitchen fires – and even visits from ghosts, players have told more than 100 million unique and fun stories!”

It looks like yet another Sims is headed our way, this time Survivor style. The Sims 2 Castaway sees players helping their Sims to build a life after washing ashore on a deserted tropical island. Sounds vaguely familiar doesn’t it?

Players are challenged to become the ‘ultimate survivors,’ learning to live on the island by building shelters, crafting items, finding food and discovering treasures while they seek clues that will lead them back to civilization. I wonder if Jeff Probst will make an appearance.

The Sims 2 Castaway is headed to the Nintendo DS, Wii and PS2.