Zynga founder Mark Pincus out as CEO after less than one year, now executive chairman

Zynga announced on Tuesday that Mark Pincus, the company's founder, has stepped down from the social gaming company after less than a year at the helm for a second time.

Frank Gibeau, who joined Zynga's board in August 2015, after more than two decades at game developer EA, will become the new CEO.

Zynga is popular for web games FarmVille, Zynga Casino, and Words With Friends, but has failed to gain traction in the mobile-era.

"I'm incredibly honored to join the Zynga team as CEO. Mark founded Zynga with the simple premise that it's more fun to play games with other people and that social gaming was a path to the mass market. I felt the power of this idea as a competitor and was inspired by how Zynga reached unexpected new audiences and opened up brand-new gaming platforms," Gibeau said in a prepared statement.

While at EA, Gibeau served as executive producer of major motion picture "Need For Speed," which was released in 2014.

Pincus, who took the CEO role for the second time in April 2015, will remain with the company as executive chairman -- a new role. The shakeup takes effect on March 7.

Pincus first served as CEO until July 2013 and then two years ago stepped down when Don Mattrick became CEO.

Big changes are needed at Zynga. The company is reportedly selling its San Francisco office, which it purchased in 2012 for $228 million.