New Zynga Execs To Lead iPhone Development, New Studio

Social game developer Zynga, which makes games for outlets ranging from Facebook to the iPhone, has hired on two new executives -- one to lead development of games on the iPhone, and the other to head up a new internal studio. Zynga said today that it has hired on Steven Lurie as general manager of Zynga's mobile game group. Lurie will lead Zynga deeper into the burgeoning iPhone gaming market and will oversee new digital distribution opportunities. Lurie previously worked at the venture capital fund MHS Capital, and had also served as CEO of online firm Advice Company. New hire Roy Sehgal will become general manager of an unnamed new Zynga studio that will work on upcoming games. Sehgal comes from MTV Networks where he worked on Nickelodeon properties as an executive. He also managed MTVN sites including AddictingGames.com, Shockwave.com, NickArcade.com and MyNoggin.com, according to a Zynga press release. Zynga CEO Mark Pincus said in a statement that now is a "pivotal time in Zynga’s history." San Francisco-based Zynga has created games including Texas Hold’Em Poker, Mafia Wars, YoVille, Vampires, Street Racing, Scramble and Word Twist.