Trip Hawkins has announced he is to step down as CEO of Digital Chocolate, instead "transitioning now into a consulting and advisory role" amid rumours of layoffs and office closures.
"I am transitioning now into a consulting and advisory relationship with Digital Chocolate," said Hawkins in a blog post. "For its next stage of growth, Digital Chocolate is narrowing its focus and it made sense to get more streamlined."
Hawkins founded Digital Chocolate 8 years ago, with investors such as Kleiner Perkins and Intel amongst others putting in over $60 million in venture capital funding. TFocusing predominantly on smaller, social games, Digital Chocolate have produced titles on Facebook, iOS, Android, and the web, with a current monthly active user count of over 6 million, down from 8 million MAU a month ago.
According to TechCrunch, Marc Metis has made the step up from president to intrim CEO. But it's been reported that 180 staff have been let go from company studios in San Mateo and Bangalore. That full studios have closed in Mexicali and Armenia, with Sandlot offices (bought by DC in 2009) in Bothell, Washington and St. Petersburg being shut too. [via GI.biz]
