Top Zynga Exec Resigns After Legal Tussle

Shortly after EA and Zynga had a large court case over the latter apparently ripping off the former's Sim Social IP, former EA exec who was named in the legals leaves his job... as Zynga COO.

The Verge has looked over some US SEC documents that point out how Schappert - who joined Zynga in 2011 from EA - was last week "was reportedly stripped of his duties in overseeing Zynga's game development."

Prior to this he was named as part of the legal case brought by EA as someone with "detailed, internal, strategic plans and development information related to EA’s effort to bring The Sims franchise to Facebook.”

This week he's simply resigned.

"We can confirm that John Schappert has left Zynga and its Board of Directors effective immediately," said Mark Pincus, CEO and founder of Zynga in a statement to Polygon. "John has made significant contributions to the games industry throughout his career and we appreciate all that he has done for Zynga. John leaves as a friend of the company and we wish him all the best," says Zynga.

Make of that what you will.