Popcap Games co-founder leaves EA

Electronic Arts announced today that John Vechey, the CEO and co-founder of Popcap Games, is leaving the company. Vechey was the last of the three founders of Popcap Games to still work for Electronic Arts.

In a statement posted by Electronic Arts on its website, Vechey says he will be working for Grist.org, a non-profit news website focused on environmental issues. In addition, he also wants to deal with other social issues. He does not rule out focusing on game development again in the future, Vechey had been CEO of Popcap since the beginning of this year.

Popcap Games was founded in 2000 by John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka. The studio is the creator and developer of Bejeweled and Plants vs. zombies. Fiete and Kapalka left the studio earlier. Electronic Arts acquired the company in 2011 for $650 million, an amount that could reach $1.3 billion through bonuses.