And in a related story...
I just bought another virtual doo-dad for my whatch-a-ma-call-it. ;-)
lololololol...sorry, I just cracked me up :-)
Zynga hires Mortal Kombat co-creator
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Social gaming studio brings on John Tobias, as well as former EA, Midway veteran Mark Turmell; acquires "mid-core" multiplatform developer A Bit Lucky.
Zynga is making moves. The social gaming company recently announced that it hired Mortal Kombat co-creator John Tobias to join the studio's San Diego branch as creative director. The company also trumpeted an additional new hire at Zynga: Electronic Arts and Midway veteran Mark Turmell.
In addition to snapping up individual talent, Zynga has announced that it acquired San Mateo, California-based studio A Bit Lucky, the company behind Facebook game Lucky Space.
Zynga said its acquisition of A Bit Lucky, a self-described "mid-core" studio, is an effort that demonstrates the company's eagerness to expand into new categories. All 20-plus employees at A Bit Lucky will be relocated to Zynga's headquarters in nearby San Francisco, California.
A Bit Lucky's first project for Zynga will be Solstice Arena, a multiplayer and multiplatform game. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
In a statement, A Bit Lucky founders Frederic Descamps and Jordan Maynard explained that they explored offers from numerous interested parties, but were convinced that Zynga was the best fit, calling the partnership a "meeting of the minds."
Descamps and Maynard said meeting Zynga founder Mark Pincus was a "turning point" in the pair's decision to be acquired by the company. "His passion to define a new way to play and his entrepreneurial drive are very contagious," the two said in a joint statement.
In addition to beefing up staff and acquiring studios, Zynga is currently facing a high-profile copyright infringement lawsuit from big-time publisher Electronic Arts. Zynga recently fired back at the FIFA and Battlefield publisher with its own suit, calling the case against it baseless.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
33 comments
1 Like *wanted to make a "mortal Kombat-ville joke*
*reads a few comments*
Too late... :(
On topic: eww...
Well that's bad news..
Mortal Kombat and Zynga..
Hell No!!
Mortal Kombat is awesome but Zynga...
No Zynga No!!
Just disappear forever
Faceboock combat, Mortalfaceboock, Zyngacombat, Greedycombat, CHoose ZYnga for new FB game.
4 Like Maybe we can expect a social game called "Immortal Konflict", a shameless ripoff of MK that makes the game social, makes you pay to unlock the full move roster, battles will be randomized as to who wins so you don't get to play, and you need to pay for energy or wait 5 hours every 3 fights. Not to mention spamming your friend's FB news feeds with unimpressive "Deathalities".
I hate Zynga. No respect for that horrible company.
A creative director... at Zynga? Since when does Zynga have anything to do with creativity?
1 Like John Tobias hasn't been with the MK team for a long, long, long time. Fun fact, Noob Saibot, is John Tobias and Ed Boon's names' backwards.
John Tobias has done zero to impress the industry since his departure, so this isn't exciting news as Zynga is a terrible company.
1 Like @SolidTy Is there really any one that doesn't know the Noob Saibot thing by now?
@Hyperskate65 Hundreds of people I see everyday don't know plenty including that tidbit, Hyperskate65.
Oh John...don't do that..I was just starting to like you again and forgive you for Tao Feng.
I have no idea on the status on Netherrealm's employee sector, but the only way Tobias could have joined is if Zynga won a poker match for his contract ala Plankton did for Spongebob (yep, i mean they cheated)
1 Like He hasn't been working with MK since MK4. And I am pretty sure hasn't done anything in gaming since Tao Feng tanked.
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