Troubled social gaming giant Zynga has drafted in former Xbox head Don Mattrick to replace founder Mark Pincus as chief executive, with Pincus remaining as chairman.
At Microsoft, Mattrick (pictured on right) was head of interactive entertainment - the division that includes Xbox - and which is soon to launch a new console. Prior to that, Mattrick worked at Electronic Arts, helping to develop hit games including The Sims and FIFA. He joined Microsoft in 2007.
Pincus is staying on as chairman of the Zynga board and will also take the role of chief product officer. Following the announcement of Mattrick’s appointment, shares in Zynga initially jumped 10 per cent.
Pincus’ leadership has at times proved controversial as Zynga has struggled to evolve beyond the Facebook market for social games, with fortunes stalling – and then dropping – in the last 12 months. The outgoing CEO however retains a controlling influence on the board, including any initiatives originating with Mattrick, thanks to the way the voting rights are structured.
In an email to employees, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said Mattrick had set the software giant “on a path to completely redefine the entertainment industry.”
