Internet games pioneer Zynga sheds workers

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Struggling social games pioneer Zynga on Tuesday began trimming workers, shuttering studios and shelving older titles to get in financial shape to win in the long run.

"Earlier today we initiated a number of changes to streamline our operations, focus our resources on our most strategic opportunities, and invest in our future," said an internal memo by Zynga founder Mark Pincus.

"As part of these changes, we've had to make some tough decisions around products, teams and people."

Zynga will be "parting ways" with five per cent of its full-time workers and dump 13 games along with significantly cutting its investment in The Ville franchise, according to Pincus.