Disney’s 
oft-troubled video game and internet division is laying off approximately 25% of its workforce.
Disney Interactive announced plans to cut 700 jobs on Thursday. The move comes as part of yet another restructuring, which will (once again) shift its focus to mobile games.
Game output at the division will be cut in half as a result of the moves.
We certainly have no problem getting caught up 
in the fun of playing games, but the people who create them have their pocketbooks to worry about, too. In this column, finance expert and GameSpy contributor Chris Morris guides you through the tricky corridors the gaming industry’s financial side, touching on big-time business decisions and how they matter to the common gamer.
Disneyland might be the happiest place on Earth, but at the game development studios of the theme park’s parent company… well, that’s a different story. Sweeping changes are underway at the studio behind Split/Second and Epic Mickey, as new management takes over and the company’s focus shifts. It’s a harsh reality of business — but it’s a frustrating one for gamers, since after years of struggling as an also-ran in the gaming world, Disney was finally showing some promise.
The situation at the so-called “Mouse House” is pretty grim for traditional game-makers. In late January 2011, hundreds were laid off in an ugly bloodletting at Disney Interactive Studios (DIS) and Disney’s Interactive Media Group (DIMG). And the terse statement that was released by the company hinted that another round could be on the way.
As Disney was busy laying off 
a substantial portion of its games division this week, it was also doing some hiring.
The Mouse House has lured away Adam Sussman, vice president of Electronic Arts’ mobile division. Sussman will become Senior VP of publishing for Disney Games – further indicating the company’s plan to focus almost entirely on mobile and social titles moving forward.
Disney is swinging the axe at its gaming 
arm, cutting a substantial number of positions as it transitions from being a packaged goods company to a player in the growing digital videogame space.
Disney declined to give the number of people affected, but Mouse House insiders said as many as half of Disney Interactive Studios’ 700 staffers may have been cut.
Disney is swinging the ax at Disney Interactive 
Studios, cutting hundreds of positions, sources have told Variety.
Disney declined to give a number of people affected, but speaking off the record, people who were affected by the move said it could be as much as half of Disney Interactive Studios. Several vice presidents and directors were among those cut. (Variety has been unable to verify the exact count.)
Walt Disney on Monday laid off a significant 
portion of its gaming studio employees, sources familiar with the situation have told CNBC.
The company declined to comment on the layoffs or disclose how many people were affected by the move, but some insiders said the number could be nearly half of the 700-person division.
Chris Morris: Journalist 