Zynga
Having a conversation about social gaming and social casinos without at least mentioning Zynga just doesn’t seem right.
The company that blazed the social gaming trail is currently going through a serious rough patch that belies its previous success. Recent Zynga-related disasters include a seriously disappointing IPO; a revolving door in their executive suites; and an unending stream of criticism from end-users and industry types alike.
At the same time, writing off Zynga as a has-been is very likely a fool’s errand. Zynga seems to have more lives than your average alley cat and its next incarnation may be in the land-based casino market.
Love ’em or hate ’em, Zynga definitely cleared the way for today’s social gaming success stories.