SAN FRANCISCO  Electronic Arts, the video game company, said it would lay off 1,500 workers and shrink its product lineup, even as it announced that it had acquired Playfish, a start-up that makes online games.

This year has been a difficult one for Electronic Arts and for the game industry as a whole because of the sharp drop in consumer spending. The company, which makes popular games like the Madden, Rock Band and Sims series, has already made deep cuts in staff and its roster of games this year.

The company said the new job cuts were equivalent to 17 percent of its work force. It plans to cut its staff and close several offices by March 31. In a conference call with analysts, executives did not say which game titles they would cut, but that games in the bottom third in sales were at risk and that some games in development would be canceled. The cost-cutting plan would save at least $100 million this year, the company said.

Electronic Arts bought Playfish, which makes social network games like Pet Society and Restaurant City, for $275 million in cash and $25 million in equity. Playfish could receive an additional $100 million if it performs well.