Struggling Zynga appoints Xbox boss

[pwsincd]

The struggling game company Zynga, a company that makes most of their money from "social games" (monetising them and advertising heavily in them) though recently they have been branching out into other areas like board games and online gambling, have appointed Don Mattrick, previously of EA and Microsoft, to the position of CEO. The move will probably be watched by many as Zynga are noted for a rather harsh business culture and Don Mattrick's previous companies do not always poll the highest in terms of good feelings among customers. Still under his leadership both EA and Microsoft's gaming divisions (which he was in charge of) grew massively. On the trivia front though it could be interesting as EA sued Zynga for copyright (not a common thing in computer games as most are patents and trademarks) last year with the case still unresolved.

Social gaming company Zynga has named former Microsoft executive Don Mattrick as chief executive.

Mark Pincus, the company's founder and current CEO, said he will stay on as chairman and chief product officer.

"Zynga is a great business that has yet to realize its full potential," said Mr Mattrick in an email to employees.

At Microsoft, Mr Mattrick was head of interactive entertainment, the key division that includes Xbox, which is about to launch a new console.

Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23134276

So this guy worked for EA ..hmm and then MS, hmmm and now Zynga, on the face of it this guy leaves a strange odour behind wherever he has been it seems.

 

[Ericthegreat]

Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23134276

So this guy worked for EA ..hmm and then MS, hmmm and now Zynga, on the face of it this guy leaves a strange odour behind wherever he has been it seems.

I guess not enough people are paying $99 for fake poker chips huh?

 

[FAST6191]

I guess not enough people are paying $99 for fake poker chips huh?

An interesting concept given poker chips are an abstraction for money and you can cash them out.

 

[chartube12]

EA already bought out playfish, popcap and king.com. One of the 3 they have closed down. I can see EA buying out eventually Zynga, closing it down and firing this guy. Anything they can do to protect pogo.com they will.

 

[Ethevion]

An interesting concept given poker chips are an abstraction for money and you can cash them out.

Unless it's Zynga Poker on Facebook where you can buy chips but you can't cash out.

 

[GameWinner]

Zynga and Mattrick, a match made in heaven.

 

[Chaossaturn]

One things for sure, Zynga target audience won't be people in nuclear submarines.

 

[Deleted User]

One things for sure, Zynga target audience won't be people in nuclear submarines.

I lol'd pretty hard over that

 

[pwsincd]

did the OP get an edit ??

 

[the_randomizer]

Ex-Microsoft employee becomes Zynga CEO. Seems like a better fit, as the people who play Zynga games are prone to being easily fooled.

 

[Gahars]

Le ba-Zynga.

Seriously, though, talk about jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire the Earth's molten core.

 

[bowser]

Huh? When did Don Mattrick leave Microsoft? Wasn't he in E3?

 

[the_randomizer]

Huh? When did Don Mattrick leave Microsoft? Wasn't he in E3?

Yes, but his brain wasn't.

 

[Osha]

Good riddance. Maybe Microsoft can now gain some kind of dignity.

 

[Qtis]

Huh? When did Don Mattrick leave Microsoft?

Pretty much now.

As for the change, I'm a bit surprised. The Xbox division is larger than Zynga, but then again, maybe he likes a good challenge! Even with the abysmal E3 by Microsoft, they're still in clearer waters compared to Zynga.

 

[Nathan Drake]

I feel like after his five year old level retorts towards all the criticism the Xbox One received, someone higher up may have suggested that he seek a new job because otherwise, I don't know why anybody would jump on the sinking ship that's Zynga.

 

[the_randomizer]

I feel like after his five year old level retorts towards all the criticism the Xbox One received, someone higher up may have suggested that he seek a new job because otherwise, I don't know why anybody would jump on the sinking ship that's Zynga.

That wouldn't surprise me at all actually. I'm sure he had a nice chat with a higher-up about that, uh, incident.

 

[FAST6191]

I feel like after his five year old level retorts towards all the criticism the Xbox One received, someone higher up may have suggested that he seek a new job because otherwise, I don't know why anybody would jump on the sinking ship that's Zynga.

CEOs like to appoint other CEOs, CEOs and executive types tend not to go without work for too long and a couple of years with a large paycheck is a fairly enticing prospect.

 

[RchUncleSkeleton]

After all that sarcastic ass "get a 360 if you don't want forced internet connectivity" the backstepping after all the hate Microsoft was getting. I kinda think he know the XB One is going to be a failure and he doesn't want to be held responsible. That said, I think him heading up a company who makes money by selling fake currency to idiots sounds like a good match!

 

[Jayro]

Dammit, I was hoping they would die off, 100% of all Zynga's games are SHIT.