[jessedhillon]

While I agree with your analysis, I would add that the sheer entrepreneurial will and effort required to take Zynga from zero to IPO is incredible. Yes, a lot of stars had to line up in just the right way, but let's not discount the motivation of a person like Pincus, no matter how misdirected we think it is.

For that reason, I would not consider it a foregone conclusion that Zynga will disappear. To the extent that a rise-from-the-ashes is fueled by grit and determination, he has what it takes to do it. Despite the stock option clawback efforts, I don't buy the story that he's a soulless leech. He's still in it to win.

[ghshephard]

I agree with you pretty much on everything you're saying here. I haven't met Pincus, or spoken with him, so it's unclear to me whether he saw the intervening period of Zynga's "Let's get everyone hooked on addictive little feedback games, and let's speed up our product delivery (and justify our massive valuation) by rebranding other people's games" as anything more than a step to something truly great.

But, I can't judge Zynga on what, or who, Pincus might be, I can only judge them on their actions and behavior.

Who knows, maybe Zynga will go down in flames, but Pincus arises from the ashes to go off and do great things elsewewhere...