[zalambar]

As others have pointed out; Brian is a well known and highly respected designer. He also served as the chair of the board of the International Game Developers Association (advocates of diversity, quality of life, and giving game credits to game developers among other issues). When he joined Zynga it was seen as a major image boost for the company.

Please don't pile all of Zynga's faults on his shoulders. That blame should go to the people actually responsible (if he should have avoided participating in the company for any reason is a different issue).

Disclaimer: I have worked with Brian. I don't know what motivated him to join Zynga. If you're looking for his history check out Bug Huge Games as well; a studio he helped found which was bought by THQ and threatened with closure in 2009 when Brian left to join Zynga.