Kotick Labels Riccitiello as Gaming's Worst CEO

In a recent episode of the podcast Grit, former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick didn't hold back his criticism of ex-EA CEO John Riccitiello, branding him "the worst CEO in video games." The conversation, which also featured former EA chief creative officer Bing Gordon, touched on Riccitiello's tumultuous tenure at EA and his subsequent leadership at Unity Technologies. Despite acknowledging that EA's business model was in some ways superior to Activision's, Kotick humorously remarked that they would have paid to keep Riccitiello at the helm of EA indefinitely.

Riccitiello, who led EA from 2007 until his departure in 2013 amid poor financial performance and significant layoffs, was known for controversial ideas such as suggesting that Battlefield players pay a dollar to reload their guns. His time at Unity, where he served as CEO from late 2014 until 2023, was similarly contentious, culminating in his exit following a major backlash over proposed install fees. Riccitiello's outspoken nature was highlighted when he called developers who didn't adopt microtransactions "the biggest f\*cking idiots."

Kotick, who oversaw Activision Blizzard's acquisition by Microsoft in 2023 for a record-breaking $68.7 billion, revealed that EA had attempted to acquire Activision multiple times. He praised EA's stability but noted the competitive nature of their industry. Kotick's own leadership at Activision Blizzard was marked by financial success but also significant controversy, including allegations of a toxic work culture and mishandling of sexual harassment claims. Despite these issues, a $54 million settlement with California's Civil Rights Department in December 2023 found no evidence of systemic sexual harassment or improper handling by the board.

During the same interview, Kotick also critiqued Universal's 2016 adaptation of Activision Blizzard's Warcraft, labeling it "one of the worst movies I've ever seen." His candid remarks provide a glimpse into the high stakes and intense scrutiny faced by leaders in the gaming industry.