PopCap co-founder John Vechey exits Peggle studio three years after EA acquisition

One of the people responsible for some of the biggest releases in casual gaming has left the studio he helped form.

Publisher Electronic Arts confirmed that PopCap co-founder John Vechey has left the company after 15 years. Vechey says he is taking a “step back” to spend more time with his family. The casual-gaming luminary believes that getting some space away from PopCap will give him a better appreciation of his accomplishments. As for his immediate future, Vechey plans to focus on nonprofit work. PopCap will continue operation under many of its original leaders, and EA reaffirmed its commitment to the studio and its brands, like Plants vs. Zombies.