Zynga cuts 15% of workforce, acquires mobile game developer NaturalMotion

Social game developer Zynga has reportedly announced new round of layoffs in the company that would help it save millions this year, along with revealing a major acquisition.

 

The company said that the layoffs, including more than 300 jobs, amounting to 15% of the total workforce would save it 33 million to 35 million dollars in pre-tax savings for 2014.

 

According to Mashable, the announcement comes just seven months after Zynga unexpectedly laid off more than 500 employees and shut down three offices at the same time.

 

Zynga also announced the purchase of mobile games developer NaturalMotion for $527 million, inclusive of nearly 40 million shares of Zynga stock.

 

The report said that NaturalMotion, founded in 2001, has around 260 employees worldwide, and is credited with games like Clumsy Ninja and the racing game CSR Classics.

 

Zynga CEO Don Mattrick said that the acquisition would allow them to significantly expand their creative pipeline, accelerate mobile growth and bring next-generation technology and tools to Zynga that would fast track their ability to deliver more hit games, the report added.