If the ascent is dizzying, the downward slope can be utterly
dispiriting. The once high-flying and high-profile gaming
company Zynga today confirmed that it intends to reduce its
workforce by 18 percent. Its stock was halted, with a final
trading price of $3.41 before the freeze.  Zynga once traded
north of $14. A litany of problems, including a massive write-
down following its purchase of rival company OMGPOP and
declining interest in its games have led to Zynga consistently
disappointing investors with lackluster revenue and often missed
profits.  The company called the decision”necessary to move
forward.” Zynga is not only losing staff through position
eliminations, but also through open defections; a company whose
stock declines as heavily as Zynga’s typically suffers from
internal discontent as nest eggs rapidly evaporate. Zynga
promises that it is providing “generous severance packages” for
fired workers.  The news in the media is that the firings will
save the company between $70 and $80 million per ye