Idol Minds, the developer behind the physics-based PlayStation Network title Pain, has reportedly laid off half of its 50-strong workforce.

One of the affected employees told Gamasutra that the layoffs at the Louisville, Colorado-based studio resulted from "Sony budget cuts”, although the publisher has yet to comment.

Founded in 1997, Idol Minds previously worked on PS1 game Rally Cross 2, as well as the Coolboarders series on PS2. Its most recent release was the physics-based action game Pain for PS3, which was launched via the PlayStation Network in November 2007. Since its release, Idol Minds has continued to create downloadable content for the title.

The developer's website claims its games have sold in excess of five million units.