Today, Zynga – the struggling web game and mobile game developer – revealed its purchase of NaturalMotion, costing the company $527 million. $391 million of the purchase was done in cash; the rest was conducted using 39.8 million shares of Zynga’s stock.

Loading

NaturalMotion – primarily located in the UK – was founded in 2001. The company developed console games in the Backbreaker series, as well as iOS and Android games ranging from CSR Racing to Clumsy Ninja. Their impressive technology and toolsets are what Zynga seems to want to acquire, however.News of the acquisition comes on the heels of word from Zynga’s CEO that the company is implementing a “cost reduction plan” which affects 15 percent of the company’s workforce, “which impacts 314 employees.”“On a personal note, these are extremely difficult but important actions that are helping us drive improved results and create a new foundation for future growth,” Mattrick – formerly of Microsoft’s Xbox division – wrote, in part. “We are saying goodbye to good people and I want to thank them for all of their contributions to Zynga.”Our very best goes out to those affected by today’s news.

Colin Moriarty is IGN’s Senior Editor. You can follow him on Twitter.