FarmVile maker Zynga CBO steps down, becomes adviser ahead of IPO

As it nears what's expected to be the initial public offering (IPO) of the year, people can't stop talking about Zynga. And with reports like these, we're sure the company wishes it would stop. Now, AllThingsD reports that Zynga chief business officer Owen Van Natta has stepped down from his executive role at the company to become a strategic adviser.

The website found out the news in Zynga's new filing with the Security and Exchanges Commission. According to AllThingsD, Van Natta came to Zynga founder and CEO Mark Pincus years ago to help him grow the company. Now, the former exec will relegate himself to the board and help the company with major partnerships. "Owen is a valuable business partner," Pincus confirmed to AllThingsD. "He's made great contributions to Zynga and continues to be an important part of our team."

However, Van Natta will have to surrender millions in pre-IPO shares as a result of the move. But AllThingsD reports that this move is not connected to the stock-related debacle reported by The Wall Street Journal recently. Recent hire and former EA exec John Schappert will now assume full command over the business end of Zynga, according to VentureBeat.

Our take on this news is that Zynga is simply getting its ducks in a row before supposedly going public after Thanksgiving, removing redundancies in its lineup of high-level execs. You know, the same IPO that AllThingsD guesses will bring Zynga close to $20 billion? Van Natta or not, it's going to be very merry Christmas.

Do you think Van Natta's shift will affect the company at all as it approaches its IPO? If given the opportunity, would you invest in Zynga?

Everybody, start your engines: Zynga will go public on Dec. 16 [Report]

Did you remember your enormous salt shaker? Good, because Reuters reports that Zynga, everybody's favorite social game maker, will make its stock market debut on Dec. 16. According to Reuters, the CityVille creator will look to raise $900 million, a hair down from the almost unanimously-reported $1 billion that will bring its valuation to $14 billion.

But hey, that's still right on par with the most valuable games company in the West, Activision Blizzard. (Of course, Reuters cites "a source involved in the process.") Zynga will reportedly ask between $8 and $10 a share on the Nasdaq under the ticker ZNGA--a fairly noticeable one, no? However, Reuters does confirm that Zynga will start its roadshow next week to spur investor interest.

That is, if investors can look past the recent torrent of reports and quips that don't paint the prettiest picture of the company behind FarmVille. The New York Times allegedly revealed that Angry Birds maker Rovio turned down a $2.25 billion offer from the company, while a recent Wall Street Journal report seems to have exposed quite the stock scandal within Zynga. Worse yet, players are apparently leaving in droves. It's time for Zynga to shift into third gear: That $900 million is atop one giant hill.

Would you ever invest in Zynga at such a price? Do you think the company could at least become the second most valuable games company in the US?