Zynga, the developer of Facebook and social media games like "Mafia Wars" and "FarmVille" shut down its formerly popular game "PetVille," as well as 10 other underperforming games.
"PetVille," which claims 7.5 million "likes" on Facebook but only 60,000 active users per day, shut down on Dec. 30, much to the chagrin of the small but dedicated group of hardcore players that still used the game.
"PetVille" allowed players to virtually adopt and care for digital pets online.
"In place of 'PetVille,' we encourage you to play other Zynga games like 'Castleville,' 'Chefville,' 'Farmville 2,' 'Mafia Wars' and 'Yoville,'" said Zynga on the "PetVille" Facebook page.
The post garnered over 1,000 unhappy comments. "PetVille" players were offered a free bonus package for one of Zynga's other games.
In addition to "PetVille," Zynga shut down Mafia Wars 2 on Dec. 30, "Montopia" on Dec. 21, and shut down "FishVille," "Vampire Wars" and "Treasure Isle" on Dec. 5.
"Mafia Wars Shakedown," "ForestVille," "Mijitomo" and "Word Scramble Challenge" were pulled from stores.
"Indiana Jones Adventure World" has been closed to new players and will shut down on Jan. 14.
2012 was a bad year for Zynga, which saw its stock price tank. The company is being sued by video game giant Electronic Arts for allegedly copying gameplay, and Zynga has been accused of insider trading.
The company says it is pulling resources from online social networking games to focus on mobile gaming.
It has also applied for permits to run gambling games in Nevada that would deal with real money, as opposed to the online credits and imaginary dollars traded in most of its other properties.
It's been a long fall for the company, which at one point had more than 10 million people playing its popular "FarmVille" game every day.
Still some of its earlier properties are still viable, including "FarmVille", the original "Mafia Wars" and the mobile game "Words With Friends."
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