Casual games company PopCap is reported to have closed its Dublin, Ireland office, as part of a reorganisation prompted by a “dramatic change” in the way customers pay for and play games.

According to games publication Edge, the company said that while Europe remains a “critical market”, it will target this region “through centralised services operated from our North American offices and through the extensive European EA network”.

It also said that worldwide, PopCap is still growing, and “intends to continue hiring and developing current staff”.

Earlier this year, John Vechey, co-founder of the company, said that changing customer tastes meant it need to “reorganise our business and invest in new types of games on new platforms”.

Some 96 staff in Dublin have been affected by the decision.