John Vechey, the popular and energetic co-founder of PopCap Games has left the company after 15 years, EA has announced in an official statement today.
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Through John, Popcap was able to rise to prominence on the backs of its popular Plants vs Zombies and Peggle franchises. The company was bought by EA in 2011 for the not untidy sum of $650 million.
Vechey expressed happiness at what he had helped create in his time there. In his official statement, Vechey says: "When I founded PopCap my biggest goals were to have a good time and to make great games. PopCap's vision has always been to make people happy through games, and I believe we are achieving that every day. Today, I am proud of this company we have built together. Proud of the games we make and proud to have worked with all of you. I will miss you greatly."
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"The future is also bright for EA and I continue to believe in Andrew's vision of a company that puts its players first. The best years are ahead for both EA and PopCap, and I look forward to watching development teams live up to what it means to be electronic artists."
Vechey is heading off in a radically new direction, away from the games industry. "I will be spending some time working with environmental news non-profit Grist.org, of which I am a board member. I'll be taking some non-violence workshops, furthering some of the things I've learned from being part of the Quaker community, while I explore peace and social justice issues, such as war abolition, prison reform, poverty and the effects of race and gender privilege."
Considering the last few weeks in the videogame industry, I think we need him.
The future for PopCap is bright. The company recently released Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare onto the PS4 and oh yes, they are working on a new Peggle. Exciting times all around. John Vechey, you were one of the good ones.
Check out Vechey below. THAT's how you announce an upcoming sequel.