Layoffs hit TimeGate Studios, the Houston, Texas-based studio that helped develop Aliens: Colonial Marines, today, the president of the studio confirmed to Polygon.

"Today, we had to make the difficult decision to let go of some great game developers. This is never easy, and we're doing all we can to assist those developers affected," TimeGate president Adel Chaveleh told Polygon. "TimeGate is preparing, as is the entire industry, for the transition to next-generation consoles and new business models. As part of this reinvention, all projects and strategic initiatives continue to move forward at the studio."

While Chaveleh did not detail the number of people impacted, sources tell Polygon that about 25 people were let go from the studio this morning. The sources also say the layoffs were connected to a publishing deal falling through earlier this month.

Formed in 1998, TimeGate worked with a number of large publishers and developers over the years. Their games include Section 8, FEAR Files and, most recently, helping Gearbox Software with the development of Aliens: Colonial Marines.

Aliens: Colonial Marines' mostly negative reviews were blamed, in part, on the shared development of the game and accusations that Gearbox mishandled their leadership of the game's production.

Shortly before the game's release, Gearbox co-founder Randy Pitchford told IGN that TimeGate worked on the game about as much as Gearbox did.