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Zynga

Zynga is an American video game developer and publisher known for social and mobile games.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Zynga is an American video game developer and publisher known for social and mobile games. Founded in 2007 by Mark Pincus, it became widely known for Facebook-era hits such as FarmVille and Words With Friends. The company was acquired by Take-Two Interactive in 2022 and its games were widely available to Canadian players through Facebook and mobile platforms.

History

Zynga was founded in 2007 by Mark Pincus and initially focused on social games for Facebook and other networks. The company name was inspired by Pincus’s dog, Zinga. Zynga grew rapidly in the late 2000s, becoming well known for social games including FarmVille and Words With Friends. It went public on Nasdaq in December 2011 under the ticker ZNGA. Later, the company shifted more strongly toward mobile gaming and was acquired by Take-Two Interactive in 2022.

Products and games

Zynga became prominent through casual and social titles such as FarmVille, CityVille, Mafia Wars, and Words With Friends. The company originally started as a project to create a social poker game for Facebook. It has since expanded its portfolio through internal development and acquisitions.

Corporate structure

Zynga is now a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive. Its headquarters are in San Mateo, California, United States. The company operates primarily in the mobile and social games market and is classified within the video game industry.

Impact on social gaming

Zynga was one of the best-known companies of the Facebook game boom and is often described as a pioneer of social gaming. Its early success helped define browser-based and socially connected casual games. Zynga states that its mission is to connect the world through games.

Key facts

  • Zynga was founded in 2007.
  • Zynga became known for FarmVille and Words With Friends.
  • The company went public in 2011.
  • Zynga was acquired by Take-Two Interactive in 2022.
  • Zynga’s mission is to connect the world through games.
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Canadian context

Zynga’s games were widely available to Canadian players through Facebook and mobile app platforms, making it part of the broader North American social-gaming market.

Frequently asked questions

What is Zynga?
Zynga is an American video game developer and publisher focused on social and mobile games.
Who founded Zynga?
Zynga was founded by Mark Pincus.
When was Zynga founded?
Zynga was founded in 2007.
What games is Zynga known for?
It is best known for games such as FarmVille and Words With Friends.
Who owns Zynga now?
Zynga is owned by Take-Two Interactive, which acquired it in 2022.
Where is Zynga headquartered?
Zynga is headquartered in San Mateo, California, United States.

References

  1. Zynga — https://www.zynga.com/about/our-story/
    Supports: Founding in 2007, origin of the name, early growth, and current scale.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zynga
    Supports: Founding date, headquarters, ownership by Take-Two Interactive, mission, and Nasdaq ticker history.
  3. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/article/business/how-zynga-became-a-9-billion-company-idUSTRE7BF12H/
    Supports: Rebranding timeline and Nasdaq listing under ZNGA.
  4. Stanford Graduate School of Business — https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/case-studies/zynga-launch-farmville
    Supports: FarmVille launch and rapid user growth.