PopCap CEO and co-founder both leaving company

PopCap CEO Dave Roberts and co-founder Jason Kapalka are reportedly leaving the company, effective this Wednesday. Fellow co-founder John Vechey will take over the lead role, and described his plans for the future.

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Two PopCap executives are leaving the company, effective Wednesday. Both CEO Dave Roberts and co-founder Jason Kapalka are outgoing, placing cofounder John Vechey in the top role. Kapalka will remain with the company as a consultant, but leaves Vechey as the lone remaining co-founder.

"We need to get back to the place where we used to be and not just in mobile," Vechey told GamesBeat. "PopCap's mission right now is to create the greatest mobile game studio in the world, and we're going to do that by only making games that are beloved by players." He also said he'll focus on creating new IP, as he feels the studio has "underinvested" in it recently. Vechey noted he wants to think of better ways to integrate the monetization instead of making "premium games with a little monetization on the side."

"We wish Dave all the best," Vechey said. "When Dave joined PopCap, we needed a business leader to help us bring structure to our creative chaos and set us on a sustainable path. He has made a huge mark on PopCap, and we thank deeply him for it as he embraces his new adventure--which will probably consist of doing very little for a while! I continue to be the most passionate believer in PopCap, and I'm excited and honored about taking over as PopCap GM."

A lot of change has been afoot at EA in the last few months. Andrew Wilson took over as CEO in September, and various studios have been getting shake-ups since then. Last week, for instance, we heard that Criterion's co-founders were departing.

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    January 6, 2014 7:45 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, PopCap CEO and co-founder both leaving company.

    PopCap CEO Dave Roberts and co-founder Jason Kapalka are reportedly leaving the company, effective this Wednesday. Fellow co-founder John Vechey will take over the lead role, and described his plans for the future.

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