“I’ve decided it’s time to leave Zynga and venture off on my own again. It’s been 6 and a half years since we pushed the button to launch our first game, and each moment since has been magic.

“It’s incredibly humbling to have worked with such a talented team. I am grateful to have had the chance to help build a company that touched so many people. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it- both in the trenches and for playing the games.”

Where does Zynga go from here? The saga of its downfall continues. Stay tuned for more.

Konami has announced the same just recently and considering that it launched on December 4th 2012, it hasn’t had a bad run. The game incorporated aspects such as boss fights, 3D graphics and real time sneaking despite featuring aspects of a collectible card game. For whatever reason though, the game just wasn’t successful enough.

What are your thoughts on Social Ops being shut down? Is it a big loss or should Kojima Productions focus on bigger and better things? Let us know below.

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But when it comes to games, it seems the man is still obsessed with Farmville. During a Garage Geeks event in Tel Aviv, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, a prominent Israeli venture capitalist Yossi Vardi asked Pincus what his favourite game was, to which the latter stated, “Right now, I’m pretty bored with all games.” Despite other games being named, including a few games from Zynga, Pincus’s answer remained the same.

Pincus remarked that he was waiting for a game to capture him like Farmville did. “I want that addiction again,” he stated simply.

The question now is: Does any one want that addiction again? It remains to be seen, as Zynga’s run continues.

However, Sega recently launched a teaser site last week, showcasing airships and the like along with the title, Treachery of Ciel Ark. Sadly, it’s not a sequel to Skies of Arcadia.

However, it could be just as cool. The appearance of giants causes the people of the world to retreat to the sky, where they build squadrons of airships to wage war against the titans (see what we did there?). The game will be a card game RPG and social game, so don’t expect oodles of action or plot. Developed by Axelmark, it is worth watching out for nevertheless.

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The developer recently trademarked “Bad Dinos” last week, with the filing for “online video games and interactive video game programs”. It’s highly likely that this will be another online game for Facebook or even a mobile gaming title, but you never know. Given the propensity of online-heavy titles like The Division, Destiny, The Crew and many more, we wouldn’t put it past Insomniac to try and get on the bandwagon.

Till then, keep an eye out for the developer’s recently announced Sunset Overdrive, an open world game where the player will battle mutants.

So it only makes sense that VP of casino gaming Jesse Janosov would leave. However, John Osvald and Nathan Etter were both vice presidents for the gaming division and were instrumental in the growth of perhaps Zynga’s most popular title, FarmVille. Given how this occurred shortly after Mattrick’s appointment, it seems that the company is still very much in the red.

As of now, Etter is working at Disney Interactive division according to a report from Bloomberg. We’ll have more news on the outcomes of Osvald and Janosov as they arrive. What misfortune could possibly befall Zynga next?

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“I’m really proud to partner with a product focused founder like Mark and work with the executive team to grow the DNA of the company and lead this transition.” He also believes that Zynga has “redefined entertainment and brought gaming to the mainstream.”

“Only Zynga combines engineering, industry-leading product management and analytics to deliver products that strike a chord with consumers and add real value in their lives. More than 1 billion people have installed a Zynga game across web and mobile and popular franchises like FarmVille and Words With Friends are a daily habit for millions of people. It’s a staggering milestone that speaks to the mass market opportunity ahead of all of us.

“I’ve seen firsthand how powerful franchises and networks can work together to deliver breakthrough value for consumers and drive sustainable growth. We too, have all the makings of a successful service and business and we have the opportunity to create lifelong relationships with our customers through our high quality products.”

In an op-ed on Tech Crunch, he also spoke about the “innovators’ dilemma”, wherein big publishers will be more focused on innovating with next generation consoles while new companies take advantage of opportunities in other streams.

“The innovators’ dilemma confronting the big guys is creating continuing unopposed growth opportunity for new and established digital pure plays alike. That is giving new players time to build up the brand and marketing advantages that big publishers have held for years on what are rapidly becoming legacy platforms.

“But who is making the category-defining racing game, the best first person shooter, sports game, real-time strategy, monster breeding or puzzle adventure game on these platforms?

“The console guys are hamstrung by their lack of focus. The starlets who already dominate one or two categories will have similar focus challenges due to successes to date. Seldom have there been such clearly profitable, well-defined opportunities for new start-ups to re-imagine these experiences for personal touch screens.”

Segerstrale currently leads the investment firm Initial Capital.

Smileworks currently has 23 employees (three from SE Japan) and will serve as a means for the company to publish Square Enix titles in the region. Development of titles geared towards the region in particular are also in the pipeline.

Of course, Square Enix wouldn’t expand into the region without doing something for social gaming. Smileworks will also be creating artwork for the same, with a content recently being held for the Japanese card game Nirvana Genesis.

The region has been chosen due to its increased buying power. Given that there’s no shortage of Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts fans in Indonesia (hi Ganita!), it will certainly aid in their plans for world domination over the years.

Sony revealed its latest PlayStation Vita title from Q Entertainment, the minds which brought us titles like Ninety Nine Nights and the Lumines series, namely Destiny of Spirits. A trailer for the game has since been released for the same, and reveals Spirits is a free to play RPG with a social bent. It is being developed by Studio Japan, which is owned by Sony. Check out the screenshots below.

Destiny of Spirits has been described as “location-based strategy game… where players from around the world work cooperatively in turn-based action to battle fierce bosses to unlock an expansive virtual world.

“Using location technology, the game places players on a global map, creating a hyper-social experience, where the player is connected to and working with others collectively to progress and unlock powerful new Spirits that can be unleashed during combat to defeat enemies.”

The game will be out sometime in 2013 for the Vita.