Zynga CCO exits, plans new company

Another Zynga executive has exited the company, as it continues to feel the ripple effects of its tumbling stock price. This time it's Chief Creative Officer Mike Verdu taking his leave, effective immediately, with plans to start his own game company.

"I'm very proud of my part in building this remarkable company, especially in growing and nurturing what has become a vibrant community of game designers, producers, and creative leaders," Verdu said in a statement. "Now, however, it's time for me to try something new. Being at Zynga in the early days reminded me of how much I love being an entrepreneur. After a lot of soul-searching, I have decided to go back to my roots and start a new company."

AllThingsD reports that Zynga will be an investor in Verdu's new company, which is unnamed so far. He did note that his departure is "not a function of anything else going on at the company."

Verdu's exit follows just after John Schappert's resignation, in the midst of a class-action suit and investigation into insider trading. Unrelated to those legal issues, the company is also facing an infringement suit from rival EA.