In this high pressure, high cost, low creativity market, you very frequently hear tales of designers leaving their studios to go to the indie market. The pressures for indie devs isn’t nearly as strict and there is far more space for creativity. However, hearing about designers leaving the casual space is certainly a rarity. But this is the case today as Chief Game Designer for Zynga, Brian Reynolds, has announced that he has left the company.
Every report seems to indicate that Reynolds left the company amicably. Every statement that Zynga has made post his departure has said that they wish him the best in his future opportunities. The official reason for Reynold’s departure is a desire to “pursue other opportunities.” Whether or not these opportunities involve the video game industry, we aren’t sure. His departure was originally announced via an e-mail sent out to Zynga employees.
Reynolds has been with Zynga since 2009 and helped to design Frontierville. Before his time at Zynga, Reynolds acted as lead designer on Civilization II and Rise of Nations. It sure would be interesting if he decided to get into the sim game market again. We always could use more complicated simulation titles.
Source: Joystiq