Heroes of Might and Magic Fan page Celestial Heavens is reporting that 3DO has laid off nearly two thirds of the staff at New World Computing (thanks Rob Merritt). This includes most of the staff of the just-released Might and Magic IX and many people from the Heroes of Might and Magic IV team. Those not laid off were apparently given the option of moving to 3DO's San Francisco office to work on in-house titles at their own expense, with vacation days being used during the time they have to take off to facilitate the move. There is no word on the site as to what future, if any New World Computing or the Might and Magic series has, or whether this will have any effect on the the promised multiplayer add-on for Heroes IV or extras promised to members of 3DO's Might and Magic Guild. Expect some kind of further announcement in the days to come.